Knowing your neighbors can be an important climate solution
JUNE 10, 2025 6:00 AM ET
By Chloe Veltman and Ryan Kellman from NPR
Earthaven Ecovillage is a community of around 100 full-time residents tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. In late September, this idyllic place with its modest homes, babbling creeks and bumpy country roads was rocked as Hurricane Helene swept into the Carolinas, dropping torrential rainfall and bringing high winds. Across the state, more than 100 people died, and billions of dollars in property was damaged.
However, unlike other places such as Asheville, N.C., Earthaven was relatively unscathed.
The power briefly went down when the village's hydroelectric system was temporarily damaged. Residents quickly implemented their backup solar system. The main road also washed out in places, and fallen trees made it impassable. But the community was able to quickly clear the blocked roads and make repairs because the village had chain saws and tractors. The residents also produce much of their food — fruits, vegetables and livestock. So no one went hungry. Few buildings suffered damage, and no one was badly injured.
"We got lucky," said Earthaven resident Brandon Greenstein, who has lived in the village for 26 years. "But we also made a plan to be prepared for unforeseen events."
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