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Ecotopia: The World of the Future Essay

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"Ecotopia" is a futuristic novel about a country based on a "stable-state ecosystem." Ecotopia was formed when Northern California, Washington and Oregon seceded from the union of the United States. The new nation is an economical utopia with advanced methods of energy conservation and work ethics. Since its secession from the United States no American tourists have been allowed to cross its border. Now, twenty years later, Ecotopia has officially allowed the first American visitor into the country. The Times Post has sent international affairs reporter William Weston on a six-week investigative mission into Ecotopia where he will report on the economy and the lifestyle and dispel what will prove to be outlandish rumors …show more content…

The first thing he notices is the quietness of the street. With the exception of the gentle purr of the electric taxis, minibuses, and delivery carts, there was no "city" noise to speak of. To Weston's surprise, the minibuses have no drivers. They are driven rather by an electronic devise that follows wires buried underneath the streets. Also, they charge no fare. When Weston questions a fellow passenger about this he remarks, "that to have a driver on board to collect fares would cost more than the fares could produce" (12). Those not taking the bus travel by bicycles which are also free to use and can be found anywhere along the streets or on walkways that are suspended in the air and connect to each building in town.

After settling in to his hotel and changing into some more generic and less conspicuous clothes, Weston leaves for a meeting with Ecotopia's Minister of Food. Because the Minister was busy elsewhere, Weston speaks instead with the assistant Minister who informs him of several things including Ecotopia's waste management system. All food waste, sewage, and garbage is sorted and turned into fertilizer which is applied to the land and once again becomes part of the food production system. Consequently, the agriculture of Ecotopia has almost reached a stable-state with more than ninety-nine percent of

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