The Beginnings

We're a new organization with old and deep roots in sustainability. Steve Troy, one of the pioneers in appropriate technology, began working in the development field in 1966. Since that time he has founded or co-founded 20 businesses including Jade Mountain, Real Goods, and Planetary Solutions. He created The Sustainable Village specifically to do this important work in developing countries. The following are Steve Troy's journal entries that lead to the creation of The Sustainable Village.

Sustainable Village Journal Entries . . .

Sept. 10th, 2001, late afternoon. I conclude an agreement to sell my remaining 49.9% interest in Jade Mountain, Inc. I start seriously considering my retirement plan of focusing on my book business at www.awrbooks.com.

Sept. 11th, early morning. I wake up to the news of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Washington, D.C. It's such an obvious attack on business that it makes me wonder how the business community could respond. What are the "roots of terrorism"? What conditions conspire in the creation and education of a terrorist?

Sept. 14th. I read an article about an Afghani mother of several children who is asked what she plans to do given the possibility of bombing raids by the US. She answers that it would be a blessing if she and her children were killed, that their lives are too miserable, poor and hopeless for them to care about staying alive.

Sept. 15th. Instead of retiring, I decide to start a new business dedicated to using appropriate technology products in ways to provide more education, health care, small businesses, and new opportunities for people living in remote areas of developing countries.

October 1st. Sustainable Village Articles of Organization filed.

October 31st. Jade Mountain moves out and The Sustainable Village takes over the space at 717 Poplar Avenue in Boulder, CO.

November 5th. First employee, Alden Taylor, starts.

December 12th. We're back and running with 16 people and new projects in Columbia, Nigeria, Iceland, The United Arab Emirates, Nepal, Indonesia, Kenya, and Tibet.

December 14th. New working partnership with members from the International Hospital for Children, representatives from the US and Pakistani governments, Engineers Without Borders-USA, and the Rocky Mountain Institute to improve and develop Afghani refugee camps using appropriate technology and sustainable development.

Steve Troy

Founder and Manager,
The Sustainable Village