a resource for people who are interested in environmental, sustainability and self-sufficiency issues, and want to make a difference as an individual...
Living in a sustainable way can: maintain resources for future generations; protect the environment and ecology of the planet; support local business; exclude you from power-cuts and fuel shortages; be healthier for you and your family and save you money!
Sustainability is now a Global issue and every person needs to be aware of the impact of their actions upon the World that we all share.
The domestic sector in the United Kingdom is one if the greatest energy consumers in the economy, according to the Department of the Environment. It rates carbon dioxide emissions from UK homes at ~26% and use of resources or 'energy consumption by final user' at ~30% directly and indirectly in its' consumption of fossil fuels.
Along with sustainability, this website will also cover issues of self-sufficiency or 'Autonomy', as I believe that these issues go hand-in-hand.
There are many different ways of becoming self-sufficient, from just growing a few vegetables to living completely 'off the grid' ie. isolated from all national utilities, in the form of electric, water and sewerage.
In some cases, depending on your location in the World, gas or oil may be available as mineral rights within your property, and use of these for certain purposes does makes financial sense, even if it is not environmentally friendly. As with all aspects of sustainability, compromises must be taken to provide the best solution, or sometimes the least-worst. For example, in an off-the-grid installation where solar power is used to generate electricity, batteries can be used to store the power for use when it is dark or cloudy. Batteries normally contain lead which is harmful to the environment in production and disposal. If the national grid is already available at the site, it may be a better option to utilise this to 'store' power during peak times, as the infra-structure already exists.
Despite concerns about deforestation, well managed forests can produce timber in a sustainable way and in fact timber-framed houses are one the most sustainable ways to build, especially when compared to bricks and concrete. It can also provide a healthier living environment, if treated with natural oils and waxes, due to the fact that the material continues to 'breathe' allowing it to naturally ventilate and absorb excess moisture from the air. In my opinion it is also a more visually stimulating material, which is an equally important part of a home and the well-being of its' inhabitants.
In my opinion the key to healthy, sustainable living is to use naturally occurring renewable materials and foods that are produced as close to your home as possible.
