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Jo Hooper

by Jo Hooper on November 11, 2009 · 0 comments

in EVENTS

When a handful of soft-spoken back-to-the land types bought up a 25-acre parcel of land 18 kilometres west of Chilliwack in Canada and showed up at city council to ask for a special “eco-village” zoning, they were prepared for questions.

According to Yarrow eco-village co-founder Michael Hale, “There’s a fair percentage of people that are skeptical about what we’re doing. Some people are totally unconvinced or think we could be a cult.”

»Keep reading 'An Eco-village is born'

Western New Zealand

August 19, 2009
Western New Zealand

Come to sunny Karamea A remote off-grid community in New Zealand has outed itself in an appeal for more residents to come and join them.

The scattered collections of a dozen houses and cabins near Karamea on New Zealand’s west coast, relies on solar power rather than pay the $40,000 per household it would cost to connect to the grid.

»Keep reading 'Western New Zealand'

EU Grid not fit for renewables

June 14, 2009
EU Grid not fit for renewables

Europe's electricity grid is unable to distribute the renewable energy capacity that governments have committed to building by 2020, according to a report from Europe's leading science academies. And Europe's  ageing grid infrastructure is likely to fall 30% short of demand by 2011.

Europe's grid is incapable of transferring energy over the long distances demanded by renewable power stations, without massive investment which is unlikely to be forthcoming, strengthening the case for off-grid and micro-grid supplies for small communities and even large ones.

»Keep reading 'EU Grid not fit for renewables'

Environmentalism classed as a ‘belief’ in UK

June 1, 2009
Environmentalism classed as a ‘belief’ in UK

Grainger employee You don't have to be crazy to be an environmentalist, but (according to an employment tribunal in London) it helps.

The Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003 prohibit discrimination in the workplace by reason of any religion or belief. The regulations were amended in 2007, so that "belief" now means "any religious or philosophical belief".

Tim Nicholson, who had been head of sustainability at Grainger Plc, was made redundant. He brought a number of claims, including unfair dismissal and discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief.

»Keep reading 'Environmentalism classed as a ‘belief’ in UK'

Vancouver solar grants

May 2, 2009
Vancouver solar grants

Beautiful place Residents of Victoria Island, Vancouver  who choose to install a solar hot water system are eligible for $2,375 in grants, discounts and rebates toward upgrades from various levels of government.  We’d like to hear from anyone in ‘Couver, with their experiences of what it is like to apply for and get these grants. (contact us) both for off-grid and grid-connected projects.

»Keep reading 'Vancouver solar grants'

Ready for the crash

April 25, 2009
Ready for the crash

Dervaes: urban homesteaders USA Today was one of the first newspapers to spot the fast growth in off-grid living. Now it has identified a related trend which sparked a massive response on the paper's web site.

Dubbed "21st century survivalism," the story, filed in the "offbeat" section, is about a Michigan family that, under financial pressure, decided to give up credit cards, satellite television, high-tech toys and restaurant dining, and move from the city to live on a 40-acre farm and become more self-sufficient. They relearnt skills and live happily together and feed themselves. People are asking, "Do I really want to be 100% vulnerable with no self-sufficiency skills if something happens to the economy?" says the story.

»Keep reading 'Ready for the crash'

UK Off-Grid festival in August

April 22, 2009
UK Off-Grid festival in August

Family-friendly festival This August sees the first Off-Grid Sunrise Festival  somewhere in Somerset (location to be revealed).  The three night event will be entirely powered by renewable energy. This new camp is a deep exploration of community living, creativity and consciousness, with hands-on activities, talks, workshops, performance, music, art and celebration. 

Its a spin-off from the annual Sunrise Celebration  which is held in Somerset May 28th-30th this year. Off-Grid Editor Nick Rosen will be speaking at 3pm on May 29th, and again in the evening, in the Big Yurt.

The Off-Grid event in August will be participatory and family focused, exploring the emergent culture of environmental awareness and the ways in ...

»Keep reading 'UK Off-Grid festival in August'

Off-Grid house poised to win X-prize

January 20, 2009
Off-Grid house poised to win X-prize

The X PRIZE Foundation is set to award its prestigious first prize to an off-grid home design  in a much-hyped competition. The winner will receive a $25,000 check on Thursday, February 5th. Finalists are: -- Alan Silva, from Roy, UT: "The Energy Independence X PRIZE" A prize to develop energy-independent homes that exist completely off the grid.

»Keep reading 'Off-Grid house poised to win X-prize'

Fight to halt power line

November 18, 2008
Fight to halt power line

This land is their land - Ogles on a hikeROCKBRIDGE, Ohio -- Charles and Melanie Ogle have lived happily off the power grid for 17 years in their solar-powered log home perched on a ridge in the Hocking Hills.

They don't want or need electric lines, but it seems that a power line is about to be strung outside their house anyway.

The Ogles are fighting a plan by American Electric Power to take some of their land by eminent domain to build an overhead electric line to power a telecommunications tower that the utility is building about 1,500 feet south of their house.

»Keep reading 'Fight to halt power line'

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