The sustainable community and its fruitful trees

Manrique Prada
4 min readSep 7, 2023

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In a world where nature’s natural resources are being depleted, we explore a narrative that depicts contrasting paths of human interaction with the environment. This short story unfolds within a sustainable community that embodies the principles of cooperation, equity, and long-term sustainability, creating an idyllic setting.

Yet, as we navigate this simple tale, we encounter an alternative scenario, one characterized by individualism and short-term self-interest, where the consequences of such behavior ripple through the ecosystem. This allegory serves as a sobering reflection on the choices we make in shaping our societies and the profound impact these decisions hold for the future.

Imagine trees heavy with fruits and seeds. In an ideal sustainable community, each individual would have equitable access to these vital food resources. Let’s assume that every person is only allowed to gather the fruits necessary for their daily sustenance while also leaving some for their neighbors, as well as for birds and mammals. This practice ensures the enduring existence of both trees and their fruits, owing to the vital role animals play in seed dispersal, which, in turn, facilitates plant reproduction.

Buriti palm fruits. Photo by Bernard DUPONT on Wikicommons

Now, imagine this same scenario, but this time characterized by individualism; people would greedily take all the fruits from the trees, without regard for the fact that much of it may go to waste. If this self-centered mindset becomes pervasive, it would threaten the existence of plants, as no fruits would remain for the critical process of seed dispersal. Consequently, in such a community, when fruits eventually become scarce, some may resort to drastic measures like cutting down trees for selling wood, simply to secure sustenance due to the scarcity of available fruits. Inevitably, this relentless exploitation would leave nothing behind — no fruits, no seeds, and ultimately, no plants.

Photo by Fernando Flores on Wikicommons

The story of the sustainable community and its fruitful trees carries profound lessons. It’s a story that shows us how our choices shape our societies and the world we leave for future generations.

In this tale, we face a big question: cooperation or selfishness? Do we want to be a community that shares resources fairly, creating social justice and harmony with nature? Or do we want to be selfish, focusing on short-term gains that harm our environment in the long run?

The story emphasizes the importance of fair access, not just to the fruit on the trees but to all the resources in our world. It encourages us to share and treat everyone fairly, which is the foundation of a sustainable community.

The story also shows us how delicate ecosystems are. Every species, like the trees and the animals that spread their seeds, plays a crucial role in the circle of life. It reminds us that biodiversity is vital, and we must protect the balance of nature.

Sustainability is a big idea here too. The fact that the trees and their fruit thrive in this ideal situation tells us that we can take care of our resources responsibly and have a stable environment for a long time.

But there’s more to the story. It quietly tells us to think about how our actions affect the environment and to be aware of our impact.

The story celebrates community and working together. It shows that when people come together, they can protect the environment. It makes us feel responsible for our environment when it faces challenges.

And there are also cultural and ethical lessons. It asks us to think about how we use resources and how it affects different communities and ecosystems.

In the end, this story gives us hope. It shows that if we treat ecosystems with respect and take care of them, they can withstand time and human impact. It inspires us to think about how we can fix and protect the ecosystems we’ve harmed.

As we look ahead, let’s remember the story of the sustainable community and its fruitful trees as our guide. It tells us to choose cooperation over selfishness, fairness over inequality, and sustainability over exploitation. The future we create depends on the choices we make now, and this story gives us a plan for a better and more lasting world.

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Manrique Prada
Manrique Prada

Written by Manrique Prada

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Biologist with experience in ecology, wildlife, environmental issues, and collaborative work with indigenous communities.

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