5 people. 1 motor-caravan
115 days. 23,200 kms. 14 countries and so many cultures. 11 adventures and one sole target. This has been Ekogaia�s d�but. Ekogaia was the brainchild of a restless Basque guy living in Barcelona, who hit upon this idea two years ago. The whole idea was prompted by watching a documentary on TV3, the Catalonian Channel, about a farm in Denmark. The documentary showed a real-life practical experience in renewable energies.
For us, it was astonishing what we saw in the documentary, so unknown and so enriching (especially the part about Biodiesel, which later would become Ekogaia�s main symbol) that we asked ourselves: why don�t we promote similar projects in the Basque Country?
As the got the Prestige ecological disaster riveted to our brains, we got down to work on an energy development that would be respectful to nature, instead of adding our bit of garbage on top. For a time we studied the characteristics, properties and problems of Biodiesel; later we examined what would be the most suitable and stimulating way to foster the use of renewable energies in our midst. It was quite obvious that in Euskalherria there was a critical lack of information about renewable energies and we thought it necessary to see close at hand the experiences abroad which were a step or two forward from where we were. Go there and learn what we could so that when we returned we�d be able to spread it here.
This is how the project by the name of Ekogaia Tour was born, whereby we�d spend four months around Europe in a expressly converted caravan painted in loud colours. The project was self-financing though we got some financial help and cooperation from outside (Naturindar, Itsasmendi caravans...)
In the shelter of the caravan and the biodiesel revving the engine, we�ve been through quite a few experiences, landscapes we�ve seen, people we�ve met and ideas we�ve learnt. In Switzerland we came upon the beauty of its blue lakes and also the de-centralized projects at local level. In Berlin we saw the charm of the Communist remains and the neat use of renewable fuels. In Denmark, the incomparable starry summer sky and the European country with the highest ecological conscience. In Iceland we encountered the limitless force of nature and the utilization of geothermal energy. In Poland we came on the collage of many-coloured woods in autumn and we saw their first steps in the field of biodiesel. The list would be too long to mention the places we saw and the experiences we lived there: Vienna, Grazz, Prague, the Dolomites, Venice, Holland, Belgium, Britain...
Barter and exchange have been, more than any other aspect, the pivot of the whole trip. Cultural exchange, swapping of ideas and knowledge, in a word, exchange in the broadest sense of the word. Giving what you take and sharing what you have, has been the key to these hundred or so long days. No question it has been enriching to our project and to ourselves.
However, the hardest bit is ahead: to organize everything we�ve collected and then to release back into our society, in the easiest and most suitable way. Not a piece of cake, surely!
short interview
What�s the situation of renewable energy in Euskal Herria?
Well, to tell you the truth we are a bit behind most European countries if we talk about usage. I�ll just mention a couple of the few experiences: the notorious case of wind power mills in Nafarroa and the recently started Oil Station in Etxarri, the first one in EH which gives a 100% of biodiesel fuel.
Anyway, as I said before the steps they are taken in this direction are very few and to walk forward the authorities should have to try harder.
And we are ready to face nowadays situation and make a change.
From all the experiences you have seen on the trip, which one you think would fit better in EH?
To tell you the truth, on the trip we�ve had the chance of seeing and learning from many experiences on the field of renewable energy. From the most renowned wind and sun power, geothermal power, filtering ecological systems to recover water, or the not so known case of ecological houses (without dangerous materials and with basic renewal). For us more than the power itself or the different systems, two examples have called our attention for EH. First, small projects that are based on non-central management, that is to say, without big companies taking part. Grounded on the �Do It Yourself� philosophy.
And secondly, the case of energy co-operatives which might prove very stimulating in our country, moreover if we consider our long tradition in the field of co-operatives.
What are you planning to do with all the information you have gathered in the last months?
Once all the information has been displayed on the website we�ll manage and give advice on the proposals from the local Ekogaia boards from Euskal Herria and Catalunya. On the other hand we�d like to provide a way-out and broadcasting chance to all the gathered information, and that way open it to education and cultural centers (museums, schools,...). Things like school material, audiovisual productions, exhibitions with our mobile truck, etc.
And the idea we want to strengthen with all these projects and actions is a decentralization of energy in Euskal Herria and making it more independent... on energy grounds.
quickly
The most beautiful
Although difficult, among the first one would be the strength of Nature in Iceland.
The hardest
Paying 12 Euros for a humble San Miguel bier.
The most attractive
Finding out how easy it is for the humans to intervene in nature without infringing any harm.
The nicest
How nicely treated we were ; ... cause our magazine is also read outside home.
The most difficult
Once you know the ropes in your place, you know the people and so on... it is hard to move to another place and start from scrap.
The ugliest
Uniformity. Finding the same all over Europe: music, food, clothing and finally a way of life.
The most tiring
- Hello!
- Hi!
- Where do you come from?
- From the Basque Country.
- Errr? Country whaaat??
- Basque... you know... hmmm... San Fermin, bulls, Indurain, San Sebastian...
- Ooh yeah... terrorists in it?
Ekogaia
- All in four languages: basque, english, catalan and spanish
- Reports and photographs from the visited countries
- E-mail list to provide the latest information
- Following the philosophy of the trip, made with free materials.
For us, it was astonishing what we saw in the documentary, so unknown and so enriching (especially the part about Biodiesel, which later would become Ekogaia�s main symbol) that we asked ourselves: why don�t we promote similar projects in the Basque Country?
As the got the Prestige ecological disaster riveted to our brains, we got down to work on an energy development that would be respectful to nature, instead of adding our bit of garbage on top. For a time we studied the characteristics, properties and problems of Biodiesel; later we examined what would be the most suitable and stimulating way to foster the use of renewable energies in our midst. It was quite obvious that in Euskalherria there was a critical lack of information about renewable energies and we thought it necessary to see close at hand the experiences abroad which were a step or two forward from where we were. Go there and learn what we could so that when we returned we�d be able to spread it here.
This is how the project by the name of Ekogaia Tour was born, whereby we�d spend four months around Europe in a expressly converted caravan painted in loud colours. The project was self-financing though we got some financial help and cooperation from outside (Naturindar, Itsasmendi caravans...)
In the shelter of the caravan and the biodiesel revving the engine, we�ve been through quite a few experiences, landscapes we�ve seen, people we�ve met and ideas we�ve learnt. In Switzerland we came upon the beauty of its blue lakes and also the de-centralized projects at local level. In Berlin we saw the charm of the Communist remains and the neat use of renewable fuels. In Denmark, the incomparable starry summer sky and the European country with the highest ecological conscience. In Iceland we encountered the limitless force of nature and the utilization of geothermal energy. In Poland we came on the collage of many-coloured woods in autumn and we saw their first steps in the field of biodiesel. The list would be too long to mention the places we saw and the experiences we lived there: Vienna, Grazz, Prague, the Dolomites, Venice, Holland, Belgium, Britain...
Barter and exchange have been, more than any other aspect, the pivot of the whole trip. Cultural exchange, swapping of ideas and knowledge, in a word, exchange in the broadest sense of the word. Giving what you take and sharing what you have, has been the key to these hundred or so long days. No question it has been enriching to our project and to ourselves.
However, the hardest bit is ahead: to organize everything we�ve collected and then to release back into our society, in the easiest and most suitable way. Not a piece of cake, surely!
short interview
What�s the situation of renewable energy in Euskal Herria?
Well, to tell you the truth we are a bit behind most European countries if we talk about usage. I�ll just mention a couple of the few experiences: the notorious case of wind power mills in Nafarroa and the recently started Oil Station in Etxarri, the first one in EH which gives a 100% of biodiesel fuel.
Anyway, as I said before the steps they are taken in this direction are very few and to walk forward the authorities should have to try harder.
And we are ready to face nowadays situation and make a change.
From all the experiences you have seen on the trip, which one you think would fit better in EH?
To tell you the truth, on the trip we�ve had the chance of seeing and learning from many experiences on the field of renewable energy. From the most renowned wind and sun power, geothermal power, filtering ecological systems to recover water, or the not so known case of ecological houses (without dangerous materials and with basic renewal). For us more than the power itself or the different systems, two examples have called our attention for EH. First, small projects that are based on non-central management, that is to say, without big companies taking part. Grounded on the �Do It Yourself� philosophy.
And secondly, the case of energy co-operatives which might prove very stimulating in our country, moreover if we consider our long tradition in the field of co-operatives.
What are you planning to do with all the information you have gathered in the last months?
Once all the information has been displayed on the website we�ll manage and give advice on the proposals from the local Ekogaia boards from Euskal Herria and Catalunya. On the other hand we�d like to provide a way-out and broadcasting chance to all the gathered information, and that way open it to education and cultural centers (museums, schools,...). Things like school material, audiovisual productions, exhibitions with our mobile truck, etc.
And the idea we want to strengthen with all these projects and actions is a decentralization of energy in Euskal Herria and making it more independent... on energy grounds.
quickly
The most beautiful
Although difficult, among the first one would be the strength of Nature in Iceland.
The hardest
Paying 12 Euros for a humble San Miguel bier.
The most attractive
Finding out how easy it is for the humans to intervene in nature without infringing any harm.
The nicest
How nicely treated we were ; ... cause our magazine is also read outside home.
The most difficult
Once you know the ropes in your place, you know the people and so on... it is hard to move to another place and start from scrap.
The ugliest
Uniformity. Finding the same all over Europe: music, food, clothing and finally a way of life.
The most tiring
- Hello!
- Hi!
- Where do you come from?
- From the Basque Country.
- Errr? Country whaaat??
- Basque... you know... hmmm... San Fermin, bulls, Indurain, San Sebastian...
- Ooh yeah... terrorists in it?
Ekogaia
- All in four languages: basque, english, catalan and spanish
- Reports and photographs from the visited countries
- E-mail list to provide the latest information
- Following the philosophy of the trip, made with free materials.
