Sustainability And Living Off The Grid

By Harold Stevens


With the cost of housing, insurance and utility bills, many people are now looking for in-expensive options. One of which is often living off the grid. While there are a number of definitions when it comes to the phrase, the most accurate is that it is a lifestyle and system which survives without being connected to city, county or privately owned utility companies.

In some areas, this is accomplished by sharing communal natural resources such as solar panels, windmills and hydro systems. In others, individuals and families live near water sources, while using a generator to create an electrical current. In all cases, if there is no connection to a public utility, cable or satellite station, then the term off-gridder generally applies.

Upon discovering in a recent publication that over 180 thousand individuals and families identified as off-gridders, the concept has become even more popularized. In addition, now with cabins, tents, RVs and mobile homes, tiny homes have been introduced. These tiny homes, if placed on private property could easily be managed without connection to county, or public utilities. For, most are small enough that a generator or solar panels would suffice.

California, one of the biggest states in America has recommended that citizens start using solar and wind to generate electricity. Although, as solar storage systems can be quite costly and run on toxic acid batteries, some Californians now use old car batteries for storage at night. While hydro-generated electricity is definitely another alternative, there is more research needed to prove it is a viable alternative to solar, wind or fossil fuels.

While the main focus is sustainability, many of these communities are intentional ones. Intentional communities are made up of small neighborhoods built or acquired by a group of like-minded people. For example, there are a number of offline social networks such as Christians, dance groups, magicians, poets, singer-songwriters and others whom desire to live in communities dedicated to a specific interest.

These intentionally built communities are often quite successful. For, most often the individuals involved have known each other for years. As such, while never having been neighbors, most know that all can get along after having attended weekend, or week long events related to an area or areas of interest. In most cases, it is at these events in which the desire to build an intentional community comes to pass.

In most cases, these groups are going to have a focus on environmental and social justice. For, a community which is self-sustaining is one which eliminates carbon footprints by controlling carbon footprints and the amount of waste to be processed. Most often, those living in this manner also use and recycle all possible items. While at the same time, prioritizing grocery and other lists based on items which one can compost or recycle.

Others reside in this way due to cost, availability, to reduce carbon footprints, save money and survive. One other reason people give for desiring to become an off-gridder is to prepare for an economic collapse. When it comes to those concerned with World War III or the apocalypse, these individuals often set up alternative energy sources while also stockpiling food and other necessities.




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