Rather than focusing on Sunrise Celebration's layout or any one structure I think the most poignant features of this years festival were the structures and workshops set I place to utilise and educate on self-sustainability.
The most obvious features were the massive solar panels set up all over the arena space. These coupled with the excellent weather managed to power the vast majority of an 8,000 capacity festival only hearing one generator all weekend. The concept was applied to every structure requiring electricity including it was nice to see the lemonade stands.
When it comes to the evening the fields are lit with paper lanterns emitting as little light pollution as possible and using no electricity; it did it's bit for festival mood lighting and was great so long as you weren't trying to keep an eye on any children.
The workshops set in place to educate in self-sustainability offered a lot of useful information across the issues. For the more technical minded there was V3 Alti-Tech workshops on D.I.Y energy one of which demonstrating how you can turn your bike into a generator, and perhaps a workshop we will all want in the future on how to install and repair your solar panels.
Other area offering their eco knowledge was the Permaculture gardens. This is essentially an "edible garden" where they layout incorporates both floral and edible plants in an effort to create harmony and promote a healthier garden as well as a healthier you. The overall ethos of the festival is an attitude every society should be following but just how long it will take to implement this change in the way we live set seems insurmountable by today’s standards.
And yes to drill it on home Sunrise really does recycle everything and I mean everything! They aim to be completely self-sustaining by 2012 and are clearly pioneers in today’s environmental battle.
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