“One of the greatest promises of the high-tech future, whether made explicitly or implicitly through shiny clean concept sketches, is that we will have efficient energy that doesn’t churn pollutants into the air and onto the streets.
self sufficient
No Work Zero Budget Natural Farming
Millions of farmers in India (the video says hundreds of thousands) have already stopped using chemicals and GMO crops and have switched to natural farming methods. The movement is growing rapidly. One state in India, Sikkim, has gone 100% organic. They’re starting to kick Monsanto’s butt and the petro-chemical industry’s butt.
These Old Cabins
“The historic cabins, ranger stations, and other buildings of the Forest Service hold the tales of one of the nation’s most important public land agencies. In the Northern Region of the Forest Service, a group of highly skilled craftsmen have been formed into a Historic Preservation Team. The team is trained to maintain and restore the historic buildings of the region. Thousands of visitors can still make use of these buildings and enjoy their historical value.”
Home-based Business: Growing Microgreens
I’m always on the lookout for good ideas for starting sustainable small businesses that are low cost and easy to implement. Microgreens are small plants midway in size between sprouts and baby greens. Besides being used in salads, they can be used as a garnish on food such as fresh basil on pizza. Microgreens and sprouts are super nutritious and tasty, and also profitable as shown by this video. This guy turned a hobby of growing things into a business that saved his home. Grow your own food, get healthier and cut your grocery bills.
Off-the-Grid, Cheap Solar Montana Cabin
Very nice house design. It looks like they’re prepared for just about anything.
Food not lawns: urban gardens in Eugene, Oregon yards
“Every year, 58 million Americans spend approximately $30 billion to maintain over 23 million acres of lawn, using more pesticides per acre than agriculture. According to Heather Flores, author of Food Not Lawns, the water consumed by U.S. lawns- 270 gallons/week- could support “81 million acres of organic vegetables, all summer long”. Perhaps its time to rethink the American yard. There are increasingly more groups- like Food Not Lawns, Edible Estates, locavores, 100 mile diet- urging homeowners to mow less and plant more.