CULTURAL APPROPRIATION

In terms of renewable energy, Pandora relies on a combination of solar, wind, and geothermal power to meet its energy needs. Solar panels and wind turbines are used to generate electricity, while geothermal vents provide a source of heat and energy for many of Pandora’s buildings and systems. Renewable energy can help to create more sustainable and resilient societies by enhancing the energy cycle, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reducing the risk of energy supply disruptions.

The conflict between the Na’vi and the human characters highlights the importance of considering the social and cultural context in which sustainable design projects are implemented. The book “The Greening of Architecture” also emphasizes the importance of engaging with local communities and taking into account their needs and priorities in the design process. This can help to ensure that sustainable design projects are culturally and socially appropriate and have the support of the communities in which they are located. Moreover, in the sequel Na’vi people have to work together with Metkayina tribe (sea indigenous tribe) and they are introduced to a whole new world of biodiversity, culture and traditions. Both tribes live harmoniously together as well as with the environment around them, always staying connected with the nature around them (the sea world), and prioritizing the collective and highly spiritual bond with the purpose of their existence –protecting the biota. At the end they repel the enemy forces while protecting their habitat, ensuring their indigenous way of life is remained intact and timeless, while their home community building methods are protected and continue to adapt with their surroundings. All the above are an appropriate example of a world where progress is intertwined with humbleness and sensitivity to the habitat that is hosting the people.

In conclusion, the Avatar movies offer a glimpse into a highly advanced and sustainable society that is founded on principles of biomimicry, passive solar design, and renewable energy. These features align with many of the ideas and approaches discussed in the book “The Greening of Architecture,” highlighting the potential for design to play a key role in creating more environmentally responsible and sustainable built environments., Essentially, in close comparison to the eventual transformation of our built environment, the movie shows the transformation of the human who wants to survive in a hostile ecosystem. Inevitably, the sensible and intimate contact with that environment makes him come to a realisation to love and respect the nature and the planet, realizing how much everything and everyone is interconnected and how vital it is to preserve them. Suddenly, Sully becomes integrant through empirical knowledge and learns the way of the forest, the way of the water, the way of the sand, the way of nature. Most of the time this is what we as humans lack, real involvement, understanding and respect, that could go a long way into saving our future and changing our way of living. Starting with little things and expanding to the built environment around us, lo-tek living and biomimicry building methods can limit our demands and pave the way to the introduction of a nature as culture.

Mohamed Shokir