#1 2013 DEC
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Contributors: ewa | greentoolbox.org Henrique Gonçalves Jen Muir | platypusradio.wordpress.com Jessica Massucco | tygerbeat.wordpress.com Morgan Henley
our words have lost their weight and we became lighter and so it´s easier for us to cycle
by ewa
illustrated by Vika M.
The Earthships
Earthship Brighton, England
In a period where the society is clearly dominated by technology and concepts as automation, intelligent materials and smart devices are creating paths for what could be the architecture of the future. At the same time, doubts about the real efficiency, the true impact in the nature and affordability of this type of constructions are being raised. In parallel there is a cheaper, eco-friendly and low-tech approach, a new paradigm standing not only for construction but also a philosophy of living, in harmony with nature. Earthship is a type of house that combines natural and recycled materials, created to function in the most independent way, applying the principles of living off-the-grid. The energy comes mainly from natural resources, minimizing the use of fossil fuels. The concept has been developed since the 1970s by the architect Michael Reynolds in the desert of New Mexico. And the popularity of this type of building has increased in the past years, propelled by economic crisis combined with the environmental awareness that is emerging in our society.
The Earthship has some trademark features and a peculiar appearance resulting from the use of recycling and natural materials. In our countries, millions of tires, plastic bottles and cans are dumped every year. Besides establishing as a good alternative to building houses, these materials also provide stability and good insulation properties, plus the benefits of using elements that already available, it makes a very smart, cheap and sustainable option. Another asset is the low level of expertise necessary to build an Earthship. It doesn’t require so much technical knowledge and a small group of people can build one in few months. In terms of energy and insulation the building is mainly powered by the sun and wind; the thick walls of tires filled with dirt combined insulation panels provide and maintain a good room temperature through the principles of “thermal mass” – it keeps the house warm inside when it’s cold outside, and vice-versa. There is also an innovative system to collect rainwater, with plants to filter and clean the water that will be used in the bathrooms and toilets. This concept also provides growing the own food, through techniques such as permaculture and hydroponics, which allied to self-sufficiency of the building makes the Earthship a very attractive building, giving plenty of freedom to the occupants since generating income it’s not essential anymore.
Self-sufficiency system of the Earthship
Despite its low-tech features and primitive look, it is absolutely possible to offer all the comfort of a modern house. In general Earthships are very affordable compared to conventional houses; the average costs vary from 5.000 euro for the small ones to 50.000 euro for more fashionable models.
Nowadays Earthships are being built all over the world and Czech Republic is no exception. After an experimental attempt in the region of Sázava, south of Prague, a group of individuals decided to apply the same principles in the center of the city of Prague. Starting in June of 2013, with help of several volunteers and enthusiasts, the works are still ongoing.
Earthship in Prague, how it should look after its conclusion in 2014
The Earthship seems to be a good alternative to the conventional housing, establishing as one of the most sustainable and accessible options that we have, but its implementation success depends on many factors. First, some technical aspects need to be improved, and second, the acceptance by economical agents, corporations, and public opinion is fundamental - in the documentary “Garbage Warrior” we see Michael Reynolds struggling with the law and facing disproof by construction firms, architects and other influential people. Nevertheless, Earthship is undoubtedly a revolutionary concept and its implementation in large scale would make radical changes in our society and economy. Benefiting not only the nature, but also the human being would be more free and master of his own space and environment.
Is EU Emissions Trading Just a Bad Carbon Hangover Cure?’- by Morgan Henley Morgan Henley explains EU Emissions Trading Scheme and why it might not be the best way to address the carbon emissions problem.
Soj’we’all’know’that’the’world’is’emitting’way’more’CO2’than’the’we’ can’handle’if’we’want’to’avoid’global’warming.’This’is’a’problem.’A’ pretty’big’one’at’that.’One’way’to’look’at’itj’is’like’if’the’ developed’world’had’basically’been’at’a’nonstop’party’for’the’past’ two’centuriesj’using’whatever’dirty’en ergy’it’could’get’it’s’hands’ on’and’not’looking’back.’They’again’and’again’continued’to’indulge’ in’temptation’and’became’careless’about’emission’reductions.’This’ was’a’self-destructive’pathj’and’they’knew’they’could’eventually’be’ doing’serious’harmj’not’only’to’themselves’but’also’to’those’around’ them.’ It’got’to’point’where’the’world’decided’they’had’a’problem.’Enter’ the’Kyoto’Protocol’and’the’beginning’of’UN’Climate’Negotiations’in’ 1997.’So’all’of’the’countries’gathered’together’and’despite’a’ giant’CO2’hangoverj’agreed’they’needed’to’create’some’rules’about’ how’and’when’they’could’continue’to’emit’CO2.’One’of’the’old’party’ animals’that’was’the’most’unhappy’with’their’current’behaviorj’was’ the’EU.’They’were’supposed’to’be’the’world’s’role’modelj’the’big’ brother’that’led’other’countries’down’the’right’path.’Maybe’it’was’ just’the’pangs’of’regret’that’usually’follow’a’big’partyj’but’the’ EU’decided’they’wanted’to’get’their’life’back’together’and’begin’a’ new’path’to’a’cleanerj’greener’future.’To’get’back’into’shapej’they
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Refrences can be found at iynf.org
¨HOW TO KNOW IF YOU´RE AN EN
ENVIRONMENTALIST?¨ TEST
by Jen Muir
bigvthanksvtovIYNFvforvsupportingvthevideavandv materializationvofvgreenvzinevzarazawvAlthough thisvzinevisvsupportedvbyvIYNF,vitvdoesvNOTvrepresentvthevviewsvofvvaluesvofvthevorganization.
#1 | 2013, December
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