As far as your thoughts about being unable to afford living off grid, I say it can be done, and on the cheap, my hubby and I are living proof that it can be done, we are not wealthy, in fact we live well below what would be considered the poverty level, we live 100% off grid and are very happy living the way we do. We did “give up” many of ordinary life’s conveniences though, it’s all a matter of perspective, yes it’s terribly expensive to live the typical American way of life, with all the gadgets and goodies that most spoiled people feel they need to have in order to be happy. We live a very simple life comparatively, and we are all the better and happier for it. You can read about how we did everything very much on the cheap. http://www.off-grid.net/section/wretha/

The other thing I hear from people as an excuse not to live off grid is the return on investment (ROI) excuse, they talk about how long it will take to break even and then start “earning” money on what they have done, again I say it’s a matter of perspective, when the power has gone out in your area and you are the only one sitting there with lights and other electric gadgets running, suddenly ROI takes on a whole new meaning, priceless is what I would call it.

What I find to be the ultimate truth is people will do whatever they really want to do. if your dream is to live off grid and be more self sufficient, then that’s exactly what you will do, one way or the other, you will find a way, nothing will be able to stop you.

Set goals. long and short term. A goal is a wish with a date attached, if you plan nothing, then that is exactly what you will achieve… where do you want to be tomorrow? Next week? Next month? Next year? In the next 10 years?…

Wretha

Ref Apartment dwelling – After three apartment fires in one year at my complex that destroyed at least 25 apartments, killed several pets, and injured four people and one fireman, I long to live in a single family home again. All these fires were caused by human error, and I have to realize that trusting others to do the right thing and live with some thought about one’s neighbors as apparently asking too much.

And finally, doing the math, I do not see being able to afford living off-grid. I do not make enough to afford land, infrastructure improvement, and technology enough to keep me in the 20th century, let alone the 21st century. It’s a beautful dream, but as a public servant, I’m too poor to afford it.

I find it rather sad that the only comment you made was on how she got to W. Virginia. Perhaps she drove her bio-diesel El Camino. I am sure that you do as much as you can to help keep your carbon footprint low, right? Darryl Hannah is an inspiration. She’s great, and we need more people like her. Peace to you my friend!

However, we need to find ways to allow the average citizen to internalize green principles — we have to MAKE IT REAL at all levels in society. For instance, I am not sure that single-occupant/family dwellings are practical (for many reasons) or sustainable for our planet, or beyond.

As a personal experience, I try to live in newer, rental housing that has green appliances … it sounds good, but most developers have not embraced energy conservation methods. This rental @1200/mo has ZERO insulation on windows, poor energy design — as it turns out, and poor ventilation system — I am breathing second-hand tobacco smoke daily which comes from the apartment below.

I cannot afford to create an eco-friendly environment — on my own, nor would I. I have come to believe that multi-unit dwellings are most cost effective. This is not the same as shared living where people have a “lifestyle” agenda of some kind. Perhaps a block wherein 10-20 families would share a hydrogen fuel cell or solar-powered heating system, etc.

There are many ideas, not many forth coming from architects or developers because these housing systems would be cost-effective — for the consumer.

My rant for the day MUST include some mention of the Arctic Wildlife Reserve that is under threat. Perhaps Ms. Hanna and those with disposable income or means could cast their support behind Robert Redford and others who are acting to stop oil drilling to the North.

Thank you for your newsletter!

Victoria Xavier-Freyr
http://www.bekenint.org
http://twitter.com/clearplanet