ORGANIZING OURSELVES TO HAVE LIGHT

THE POWER OF COMMUNITY, COMMITTEES, AND BLOCKCHAIN

If nature teaches us anything, as Bill Mollison says in his permaculture book, everything in nature works together: plants, water, animals, etc. Nothing is isolated. The same is true in a community. If we want light for everyone, we have to work together and organize ourselves.

The first thing to do is simple: get together and form a committee. There's no need to overcomplicate things. It's just a small group of neighbors who speak clearly, make decisions together, and keep everyone informed. They're the ones who help us see what we have, what we need, and what options we can use.

Here in Puerto Rico, we don't have to rely solely on solar panels. We also have rivers and streams where small turbines can be installed to generate energy. The wind always blows along the coast, so windmills can be used. Even organic waste can be used to produce gas and electricity. The great thing is that we don't have to depend on just one thing. We can combine them and get the best from each. This is where blockchain comes in. This tool ensures that everything agreed upon is recorded and no one can secretly change it.

For example, if we install a windmill and a biodigester, blockchain can track how much energy each one produces, how it's distributed, and who uses it. This eliminates arguments and confusion because everything is clear and anyone can see it. We can also record the rules there: who maintains what, how expenses are shared, and who gets priority in an emergency. Everything is saved, and no one can delete or hide it. That provides a lot of peace of mind.

So, if we organize ourselves well, with a committee that listens and coordinates, we can have our own energy—fair and secure. And if we use blockchain, even better, because it ensures everything is transparent. In the next article, I'll explain how that committee can raise money for the project using blockchain, whether through crowdfunding, an ICO, or transparently recorded donations. We'll also see how to protect the funds and ensure they're used properly, thanks to smart contracts.

Stay tuned... because this is just the beginning, and this time, we're going to finance the electricity in a different way.

Lucas R. Bulgala Martinez

Blockchain Developer, Investor, and Crypto Analyst

@eltiocryptologico