Even though Canadian gun control laws are stricter than those in the US, they’re just as inconsistent. The enforcement and implementation of Canadian gun laws is just as confusing and illogical as gun control legislation in the US. As in the US, gun control efforts in Canada are driven by emotion and often swing to extremes.

Canada’s Illogical Gun Laws

A prime example of this was the so-called long gun registry in which the Canadian government tried to gather data on every shotgun and rifle in the country. The law was illogical because the nation’s second most populous province didn’t participate in it. In an even more bizarre step, the government is set to eliminate the registry after collecting data on around six million guns.

The data apparently still exists but nobody is doing anything with it. Canadian cops cannot even access it in order to try and link guns to crimes even though taxpayers spent a lot of money to collect it. Since the data has not been eliminated, at some point in the future it could be used by Canadian police for a gun round up or crackdown.

The Canadian government had also required mandatory background checks for gun licensing. Yet that requirement was quietly weakened after Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper took office in 2011. Harper, who is from Alberta in Western Canada, is backed by Canada’s gun lobby. He had quietly promised gun rights activists that he would weaken laws and he did.

License checks are required in Canada, but they’re unevenly enforced. Quebec doesn’t register long guns at all, while Ontario, Canada’s largest province, is being accused of creating a gun registry as a first step to confiscation.

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The Canadian example gives a good indication of what post Newtown gun laws in the United States might look like. They’ll be completely illogical, unevenly enforced, and change with the political climate.

A Different Gun Culture

The political climate regarding guns in Canada is different from that in the United States. Only around 16% of Canadians own guns and most of those people are hunters who live in rural areas. There is no large well-organized group comparable to the National Rifle Association in Canada, nor is there a large grassroots gun rights movement.

Instead, there is strong support for gun rights in rural areas in Western Canada and Quebec, where guns and hunting are historically part of the culture. Most of the pro-gun arguments in Canada are based on preserving these rural traditions rather than freedom.

Stealth Gun Control

Another Canadian experience we’re likely to see in the United States is stealth gun control. Government officials and others sympathetic to gun control will simply ignore gun laws and quietly violate gun owners’ rights.

Solomon Freidman, an Ontario lawyer and gun-rights advocate, has alleged that Ontario officials are still collecting data for the long-gun registry even though the federal government abolished it. Freidman has told journalists that gun stores in the province have been ordered to maintain paper records listing gun owners’ names and addresses, even though federal law mandates their destruction.

Friedman also said that background checks which were supposed to be discontinued under federal law are continuing. His personal belief is that the province’s government is illegally keeping tabs on gun owners. Friedman told columnist Brian Lilley that he thinks Ontario authorities are keeping the information so they can round up the guns someday.

So Canadian gun owners still get whatever limited rights they have violated if they try to legally buy a gun. Officials don’t even follow the laws they don’t like. It is not hard to imagine cops keeping copies of gun registry data and using it to track down gun owners even though Parliament ordered it destroyed. It isn’t difficult to see gun control fanatics in the United States acting in the same way. We should be particularly concerned because most police officials are sympathetic to gun control.

That means any gun data collected by the US government in the future will exist forever. If a Democrat Congress creates a national gun registry and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms gathers a huge amount of data on gun owners, that data will exist even if a future Republican Congress shuts down the registry and orders the data destroyed.

Canada currently has extensive stealth gun control efforts that are likely to be duplicated in the United States. If gun control fanatics cannot ban guns legally, they’ll do it off the books. Rumors that the Obama administration is buying up large amounts of ammunition to reduce the number of bullets available to the public could be the start of this.

So what does the Canadian Example Show us about Gun Control?

Basically what the Canadian example should teach us about gun control is this—gun control is completely illogical and totally based on emotion and politics. Gun-control fanatics, like any other fanatics, base their actions on fear and emotions, not logic.

Gun control laws are likely to be stiffer during times of intense emotion. Events like the Sandy Hook massacre will generate demands for stronger laws that grow silent as soon as the media cycle moves onto something else. Gun control fanatics will take advantage of emotions.

Worse, like other fanatics out to protect society from itself, gun-control supporters are willing to violate the law and trample the rights of citizens. Just as in Canada, some bureaucrats would feel entitled to enforce stricter gun-control laws even after they were abolished by duly elected legislative bodies.

Future US gun control efforts may well look like those in Canada, and they’ll be equally illogical, probably unenforceable, and totally based upon emotions. Such laws probably won’t keep guns out of the hands of criminals. Instead all they’ll do is create a confusing mess for law abiding citizens who want to own guns.

My eighty-year-old uncle in Northern Ontario had to fill out several confusing forms to buy ammo for his hunting rifle. The government then told him that those forms were a waste of time, but didn’t reimburse him for the time he wasted trying to comply with an idiotic law.

My guess is that the outcome of Canadian gun laws will be this… large numbers of Canadians who want to buy guns will purchase them illegally in the US and simply ignore the gun laws. The police will have a harder time keeping track of guns and the illegal gun trade will grow. The law will wind up making good people criminals as many average citizens will end up taking part in it.

If the US follows the Canadian example, the same thing will happen here. The efforts to protect the public through stricter laws will lead to more lawlessness and violence. Good people will acquire weapons for self-defense despite a government prohibition against them.

But in the end, our Constitution entitles the citizens of these United States the means to protect themselves and their families not just against lawlessness and violence, but against a government that would attempt to rule through thuggery and tyranny.

And perhaps that, more than anything, is the reason the government seeks to take our 2^nd Amendment rights away from us.

It can also lead to violence such as the riots in Seattle on May 1, when a mob roamed through the city’s downtown attacking police and destroying property. The crowd, composed largely of anarchists, threw rocks, firebombs, metal pipes, and fireworks at police. Such riots have become a yearly event in Seattle, where mob members attack everything from the federal courthouse to McDonalds.

The members of the mob were mostly anarchists, radical leftists who believe that they have a moral right to destroy property, violate the law, and engage in all kinds of criminal behavior. Their shenanigans are ignored by the media, but as some shop keepers in Seattle learned, they are no laughing matter. The anarchists believe that it is perfectly all right to walk up to a family-owned business and smash in the window or set it on fire as an “act of protest.”

What Is Anarchism Anyway?

The difference between anarchism and libertarianism is that libertarians believe that the government is overreaching and generally undesirable, but that other sources of authority, such as the church, are acceptable. Anarchists believe that any form of organized authority is evil and should be destroyed.

The belief is based on the idea, disproved by thousands of years of history, that human beings are basically good. Instead, all corruption is caused by government or society’s rules; crime could simply be eliminated by eliminating the rules and the authorities that enforce them. Anarchists reject the Christian notion of original sin and the traditional belief that government has a God-ordained role to police human behavior. Taken to its logical outcome, anarchism teaches that utopia will result if we simply destroy all organized authority.

The resurgence in anarchism should bother us because anarchists also believe that property is evil. French radical Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, the father of modern anarchism, actually wrote that “property is theft.” Any property right sanctioned by the state is wrong, according to this school of thought, so anybody has a moral right to steal or smash anybody else’s property.

In fact, anarchists believe that they have a moral right to steal or destroy other people’s property. Anarchist ideology partially inspired the Occupy movement, whose members claimed that they had a right to take over public and even private property for their own use.

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The FBI thinks anarchists are a threat; the agency has been investigating them and conducting surveillance of some of their activities. Yet even the interest from the FBI hasn’t convinced the media that there’s a threat here.

Anarchism and Civil Unrest

The danger from anarchism is that it could become the basis of widespread violence and civil unrest like we’ve seen in Europe in the past year. Anarchists in Greece and Britain have been able to mobilize thousands of unemployed young people, mostly students, for violent clashes with police.

There is some evidence that their beliefs are spreading here in the U.S. as well. At Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, anarchist activity got so blatant that the local newspaper complained about it. The Olympian reported that anarchists even took the camera of a guest at one of their meetings and smashed it.

Although the media ignored it, last year’s Occupy protests were a pretty blatant attempt by anarchists to ferment violent revolution in the United States. In the past, such movements have often degenerated into terrorism, including bombing and assassination.

The most frightening aspect of anarchism is the way in which the academic and media elites are embracing it. The grand old man of the American Left, Noam Chomsky, used to call himself a Marxist; he now calls himself an anarcho-syndicalist and a libertarian socialist (in other words, an anarchist). It isn’t clear if Chomsky has actually embraced anarchism or not. He might have just switched his terminology because his old line of thought, Marxism, wasn’t selling anymore.

The real danger from anarchists, though, isn’t from window smashing students or arrogant old college professors. Instead, the true danger will come from highly educated and technologically savvy anarchists who believe that they have a moral right to bring down society. The cutting edge of these individuals is the organization Anonymous, which has launched cyber-attacks on companies and individuals it doesn’t like.

Unfortunately, the media has done a very poor job of analyzing Anonymous and its motivations. Notice how reporters never actually explain why Anonymous is attacking anybody or anything. Instead, the mainstream media seems to be deliberately covering up the group’s motivations. If neo-Nazis were doing the same thing, I’m sure we’d hear all about their foul beliefs.

What V Really Means and Why You Should Be Scared by It

The real inspiration for Anonymous and much of the rebirth in anarchism comes from, of all things, a comic book called V for Vendetta (which was also made into a very bad movie). In the original comic book, the hero frees England from Fascism by blowing up the Houses of Parliament. This bible of the modern anarchist movement teaches that to achieve liberty you must destroy symbols of democracy.

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Judging by the pictures of Anonymous and Occupiers that appear on TV and online, they are huge fans of V for Vendetta. Those individuals often wear masks modeled on that worn by the character in the movie and the comic book. Yet the media ignores this, possibly because V for Vendetta has made a pile of money for AOL-Time Warner, which owns both DC Comics (V for Vendetta’s publisher) and CNN.

Anarchist entertainment is inspiring real violence here in the real world, and nobody seems to be paying attention. Worse is yet to come, because it won’t be long before the cyber warriors figure how to wreck real havoc, such as shutting off power grids or sabotaging public utilities.

Anonymous has already hacked major credit card companies. What happens if they figure out how to shut down the banking system? They could create chaos and cause a lot of suffering. Just imagine what would happen if millions of Americans went to the grocery store and found out that their debit and credit cards didn’t work. Anonymous might claim that preventing average people from buying food for their families is a justifiable tactic needed to promote revolution.

The Danger and How It Could Threaten You

The big danger in today’s world is that there are now thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands, of angry and alienated young people out there. Many of these young people have no jobs, no money, and no future. Such individuals are highly receptive to any message that fuels their anger and frustration. The economic downturn and the huge numbers of Americans with college degrees who cannot find work provide a ready-made army for the anarchist leader.

Anarchism appeals to these young people, because they know that they’ve been lied to by government, academia, and the media. They’ve been deceived by authority so long that they don’t believe anything it says and will listen to any message that says authority is evil. Instead of a healthy distrust of authority, they have fear and hatred that has been stoked by the media.

It isn’t hard to see a mass anarchist movement developing in America today and launching a two-pronged attack on society. The first prong will be traditional rioting and protests like we’ve seen in Seattle; this could shut down cities and lead to wide-spread property damage. This could really hurt average people, because police could be so busy dealing with the rioters that they wouldn’t have the resources to deal with day-to-day crimes like burglary and robbery. Regular criminals could loot entire neighborhoods because the cops are downtown battling the rioters.

The other, which is potentially more worrisome, is widespread cyber-attacks. An anarchist that figured out how to shut down the power grid or turn off Visa’s electronic payment system could post that knowledge on line for anybody to see. This could lead to thousands of cyber-attacks from all sorts of radicals, leading to chaos, which is what the anarchists really want.

A violent dogma that justifies terrorism is now spreading unchecked in America, and the media is helping to promote it. People that value the safety and security of their families need to take a look at the growing popularity of anarchism before it spins out of control.

Whether you agree with his politics or not, if you are a wise cookie, you have to give credit where credit is due, and President Obama was certainly correct about the value of insulation. If you really do care about saving money, as well as about keeping your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter, you should recognize that insulation really is sexy, and if you don’t have enough of it – or the right type of it – you will undoubtedly learn to regret it—maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon, and for the rest of your life.

A fully insulated home can normally be up to 20 percent more energy-efficient than one without any insulation at all. But of course, the actual efficiency of any insulation setup will depend on a number of factors, such as the choice of materials, the precision of the fitting, the thoroughness of the coverage, and the maintenance practices that are followed after installation. Because of the potential savings, it behooves all home owners to make an effort to upgrade their insulation to maximize performance, especially if their residence was constructed before 1980 (most such homes are inadequately insulated), and all who are planning to build a brand-new home soon should make absolutely sure they develop an intelligent and comprehensive insulation plan as a part of the project.

But all the varieties of insulation comprise a complex constellation, and anyone jumping into the fray will need to make some hard decisions about what types and styles of insulation to purchase and about where exactly it should be installed. The principles that govern insulating practices are pretty simple, but as with most things, the devil is in the details, and if mistakes are made, energy may be wasted and extra costs incurred, both upfront and later on down the line.

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Meet The Fantastic Four

No matter how well-constructed a house is, air leaks are inevitable. Floors, ceilings, roofs, walls, basements, foundations, attics, joints, corners, the edges of windows, vents for fans or dryers, entrances and exits for piping, unsealed cracks or crevices – any and all of these areas are vulnerable to leakage, allowing warm air or cold air (depending on the season) to penetrate spaces where their presence is most unwelcome. Fortunately, the problem of air leakage and penetration is easily solvable, thanks to the enterprising companies who have dedicated themselves to serving the needs of the American homeowner by providing outstanding insulation products at (mostly) affordable prices to all who desire and need them. So lets take a closer look at the four most popular types of insulation available in the marketplace.

Batts and Rolls

Also called blanket insulation, batts or rolls are highly flexible products manufactured from mineral fibers (most commonly fiberglass, rock wool, or slag wool) or occasionally from natural fibers like cotton or sheep wool. Depending on your metaphor preference, this type of insulation can be unrolled like a sleeping bag or unfurled like a flag, and it comes cut in widths designed to fit perfectly in standard-sized spaces between wall studs and attic or floor joists. Of course, batt or roll insulation can be cut and shaped to cover spaces with unorthodox or non-standard dimensions as well, just as long as measurements are made precisely to ensure proper fit. Batts or rolls can be purchased with facing – often made from kraft paper or vinyl— that serves as a vapor barrier, but unfaced varieties are also available and are preferable when new insulation is being added over old (you want the new insulation to be permeable so moisture from the old does not become trapped). The materials used in batt or roll insulation have a fluffed-up cotton candy-like appearance, but when they are put into place they should not be compressed, since their fluffiness adds to the efficiency of their function.

Blanket-style insulation works very well for unfinished walls, including foundation walls, and in floors and ceilings. It is perfect for do-it-yourself insulation projects because it is inexpensive and easy to work with, and these convenience factors have helped make batt insulation the perennial best seller among all the various types of insulation available to homeowners.

Loose-Fill

As the name implies, loose-fill insulation comes in the form of loose fibers or pellets that must be blown into empty spaces with special pneumatic equipment, usually by trained installers. Because this type of insulation is unbound, it must be used only in areas that have already been enclosed, such as wall cavities, or in horizontal spaces such as those found on the floors of attics. Because loose-fill insulation can conform to fit the shape of any space, it is perfect for irregular spots where trimmed batt insulation would not be able to achieve full coverage of any cracks or other openings, and it makes a good choice for any location that is difficult to reach because it can be blown into place while standing at a distance.

Loose-fill insulation is usually made from fiberglass, cellulose, or rock or slag wool, and is generally used as a supplemental form of insulation in combination with types that have been pre-formed or pre-cut to fit in spaces with regular dimensions. Loose-fill is also frequently used in retrofit projects, since it can be easily applied over the top of previously installed insulation.

Rigid Foam

Rigid foam panels make an excellent insulation choice for a cornucopia of locations, including floors, ceilings, walls (interior or exterior), roofs, doors; you name it (and if it can be insulated), rigid foam panels can easily be cut to fit and are guaranteed to do a superb job. Rigid foam can stop the movement of heat through conduction dead in its tracks, and a one-inch-thick panel is more than enough to get the job done in most instances. Manufactured from materials such as polyurethane and polystyrene, rigid foam insulation panels can be fitted between joists and studs or right over the top of the frame, and because they are not material intensive, they tend to be priced quite reasonably. Rigid foam is more expensive than loose-fill or batts and rolls, this is true, but its efficiency still makes it a great buy. Highly suitable for do-it-yourself projects, rigid foam panels are extremely light and can be stored easily for future use, and their combination of lightness and strength can actually make them quite useful and practical for a wide variety of specialized purposes (the author of this article has used them to make archery targets, for example).

Rigid foam is not completely fireproof, and interior applications must be covered with ½ inch thick gypsum board or some other type of fire code-approved material. Also, when rigid foam panels are applied to exterior walls, they should be covered with some sort of waterproof facing to make sure moisture cannot easily penetrate around them.

Foam-in-Place

This moist, foamy type of insulation is stored in spray cans or other pressurized containers and is applied to a home in essentially the same way as shaving cream is applied to a man’s face. Only in this case, the foam will dry and harden and form a highly effective insulation barrier in any area where it has been sprayed. Foam-in-place insulation can be used in wall cavities, under floors, on unfinished attic floors and is sometimes used to plug any type of small or oddly-shaped openings where outside air might be able to penetrate (such as the cracks around door and window frames, the spaces around holes cut for pipes that enter the house from outside or from colder basements, any holes eaten in walls by rodents, etc.).

There are two styles of foam-in-place insulation available: closed-cell and open-cell. Closed-cell is somewhat viscous when it first comes out of the container, which allows it to flow over obstacles and reach remote spots that are otherwise difficult to get to. But it contains a gas that will cause it to expand quite a bit after it is out in the open air, which gives it the capacity to foam itself into place once the installer has sprayed it into an adjacent location. Open-cell, on the other hand, is filled with air and is foamy right out of the can, making it ideal for direct touch-ups in more easily accessible spots. Open-cell is cheaper than closed-cell, but open-cell insulation should not be used in basements because it can absorb moisture readily.

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Foam-in-place is not a great choice for the DIY crowd, since this type of insulation usually must be applied by certified installers with specialized equipment – which naturally makes foam-in-place more expensive than most other options. But despite some added cost, it is highly efficient in its operation—make no mistake about that.

Getting To Know Some Additional Awesome Alternatives

Most of the insulation used in the average home will come from one of the four categories just discussed. However, there are other types of insulation available that are frequently used for special applications or by those who like to push the envelope.

Insulating Concrete Blocks or Insulated Concrete Forms

When poured concrete or concrete blocks are used to build foundation walls or other sections of a structure, they are often insulated with rigid foam panels on the outside and/or inside. But there are special concrete blocks available that carry their own built-in insulation, sometimes in the form of polystyrene beads or rigid foam inserts. These blocks will not outperform conventional concrete that has been covered with panels of exterior insulation, but they can be very good for locations that are hot in the summertime and not overwhelmingly cold in winter. The reason for this is that concrete has high thermal mass, meaning it can easily absorb heat from the surrounding atmosphere, even on the inside of a home; this makes uncovered concrete walls nice to have when interior air temperatures are elevated and excess indoor heat is a problem.

The two most efficient and effective types of insulating concrete blocks are called autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) and autoclaved cellular concrete (ACC). The former contains high-silica sand in its core while the other is filled with fly ash, a waste product that comes from coal burned in power plants. Blocks made from this combination of materials are about 80 percent air, and they have ten times the insulating ability of normal concrete blocks. AAC and ACC blocks are extremely light, absorb water effectively in their cores to help keep interior spaces dry, and can actually be neatly cut and shaped with a hand-held power saw.

Reflective or Radiant Barrier Insulation

When conventional insulation panels are covered with plastic film, kraft paper, polyethylene bubbles, cardboard, or aluminum foil, they gain the capacity to protect against excess radiant heat by simply reflecting it away. Reflective insulation systems use radiant barriers made from the materials just listed to protect interior areas from outdoor heat, and those who live in climates where the temperatures can rise to extreme levels in the daytime often install reflective insulation on exterior walls, above ceilings, in attics, or directly underneath rooftops. In order to work effectively, insulation covered with radiant barriers must be installed below or adjacent to an empty space on the reflective side so the heat they reflect can be trapped and kept at arm’s length.

Estimates are that reflective insulation systems can reduce cooling costs by 5 to 10 percent in homes built in hot, sun-drenched locations.

Rigid Fiber Board

Constructed from fiberglass or mineral wool (rock or slag), these one-to-two-and-a-half-inch hard insulating panels are specially constructed to withstand high heat and are normally used to insulate ductwork and the areas around furnaces or woodstoves. Heating and air conditioning technicians frequently add this type of insulation to duct systems in their shops before installation, but they can also install them onsite for homeowners who are seeking an insulation upgrade.

Structural Insulated Panels (SIP)

In dismissing the possibility of a truly constructive revolution, The Who famously invited everyone to “meet the new boss… same as the old boss.” But if Roger Daltrey or Pete Townsend were building a new home today, there is an excellent chance that both would invest in structural insulated panels (SIPs) to meet their construction and insulation needs, because these ingenious building materials are proof positive that revolutions really can and do change things for the better.

And it is proper to refer to SIPs as building materials, because that is exactly what they are – SIPs are prefabricated structural pieces with insulation already incorporated, and they are put together piece by piece to construct walls, ceilings, roofs, and floors. They are generally comprised of four-to-eight-inch-thick rigid foam board insulation sandwiched between two sections of oriented strand board or other similar structural material, and when fully assembled, they offer a uniform, consistent insulating experience that will deliver the ultimate in airtight living. Professional builders will generally be required to construct a home made from SIPs, but because these panels come pre-insulated, they are the classic example of a “two birds with one stone” type of technology – meaning they will save the homeowner time and money in the long run by streamlining the construction process.

One drawback of SIPs that is that they actually work a little bit too well. Homes built from these panels are so airtight that they will need fresh-air ventilation systems to meet most building codes, and this is also necessary to prevent indoor moisture problems that can arise in rooms that lack sufficient air flow. SIPs can also be vulnerable to attack by insects, which is why they are sometimes treated with boric acid that will repel creepy crawlies without causing harm to humans or pets.

Overall, homes built from SIPs can be 20 to 25 percent more energy-efficient than structures made from more conventional building materials. Even if they are a more expensive insulation option at the beginning, over time they could very well save a homeowner enough to make the extra upfront investment more than worth the trouble. SIPs are undoubtedly an up-and-coming technology, and we can expect to hear a lot more about them in the years ahead.

They call the measure the Monsanto Protection Act because it only benefits the makers of genetically engineered seeds, such as Monsanto. Congress was able to put this horrendous piece of legislation on the books by tacking it onto a funding act for the USDA and other agencies. If Obama hadn’t signed the law, the USDA would have had to cut back on food inspections.

Why You Should Worry About The Monsanto Protection Act

Instead of going into the well-documented dangers of genetically modified foods here, I’ll just raise one troubling point. Why would Monsanto and its operatives on Capitol Hill go out of their way to get this law passed if there wasn’t something wrong with genetically modified foods? What do those people know that we don’t? If GM foods were safe in the first place, they wouldn’t need this law.

The frightening thing is that signing this law was in keeping with Obama’s whole agriculture policy. In spite of Michelle’s advocacy for organic food, the Obama administration has been squarely on the side of agribusiness since it took office. Tom Vilsack, who used to ride on Monsanto’s corporate jet when he was governor of Iowa, was both appointed and reappointed Secretary of Agriculture by Obama. Vilsack, a media darling, is also a likely choice for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016.

To make matters worse, some observers, including organic food advocate Dr. Joseph Mercola, have alleged that the Department of Homeland Security and the USDA have plans to ban or severely restrict organic farming in the name of food safety. The idea is to prove that organic farming is at risk for terrorist attack but conventional farming is not. In other words, the Obama administration wants to force genetically engineered food on your family whether you want it or not.

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The USDA itself has a long and proven history of championing big agribusiness over small farmers. In the past it’s even tried to list genetically engineered algae as an organic food. It has also refused to require that food labels list whether a product contains genetically engineered materials or not. Even the People’s Republic of China and Saudi Arabia require such labeling; our supposedly democratic government does not.

It looks as if big food and its henchmen in Washington are afraid of a massive backlash against genetically engineered food. In particular, they’re afraid of huge lawsuits they might face if it’s proven that GM food does cause harm. Worse, they’re trying to use government to protect their investment in genetically modified food.

A Troubling Double Standard

The Monsanto Protection Act exposes a troubling double standard that is on display from America’s leaders. News reports that President Obama and Michelle go out of their way to avoid processed food, industrialized food, and genetically modified food and keep from feeding it to their daughters. Sasha and Malia Obama attend an exclusive private school in Washington, where the cafeteria only serves organic food. Former presidential chefs have revealed that the food served in the Clinton, G.W. Bush, and Obama White Houses has been almost exclusively organic.

Get the picture here: Our leaders are trying to force something on us that they refuse to eat. The executives of the large corporations that bankrolled the successful opposition to Proposition 37 in California (which would have required labels to list all genetically modified ingredients) eat in corporate cafeterias and exclusive restaurants that only use organic ingredients.

They shop at Whole Foods, a supermarket chain that plans to label all genetically modified products. A large percentage of the American population cannot afford to shop there. Whole Foods and its competitor, Trader Joe’s, refused to carry Monsanto’s genetically modified corn; however, Wal-Mart stocked the GM product.

So What Can You Do To Protect Your Family From Genetically Modified Foods?

Obama’s latest action should be a wakeup call to all of us who care about our families’ health. We need to take actions to defend our families and not rely on the government to do it.

Fortunately, there is a lot that you can do to protect your family from genetically modified foods. The Non-GMO Project maintains a list of foods that are verified to contain non-GMO ingredients. The list is available at the project’s website. Start buying organic non-GMO products. Also vote with your money by shopping at Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and other stores that label or refuse to stock GMO food.

Beyond that, you need to locate sources of organic non-GMO food for your family. The best, of course, is your own garden. You can start by investing in a large stockpile of heirloom seeds now. These are traditional seeds that pollinate, which means you can harvest new seeds from the plants you grow. You can order heirloom seeds online, and with them you can have a source of organic vegetables. Learn how to can and preserve food so you can have a supply of food all winter.

Look into other alternative sources of food, such as food cooperatives, foraging, local organic farms, farmer’s markets, and community gardens as well. If you belong to a church or community organization, try to talk the members into organizing an organic community garden.

Try to get in a position so you’ll be able to serve your family healthy, organic food even if Monsanto succeeds in yanking it from the shelves. Also learn how to cook so that you can prepare your own food from raw ingredients. Organic ingredients aren’t that much more expensive that regular ones, especially if you grow the majority of it yourself.

What Does The Future Hold?

Be ready for a massive federal assault on organic food and the opponents of genetically modified foods. The Monsanto Protection Act looks like an opening shot in this war.

Expect to see the USDA and agribusiness engage in a disinformation campaign similar to what tobacco conducted on behalf of cigarettes. Dr. Mercola believes it’s already begun. They’ll use pseudoscience to defend genetically modified foods and scare tactics against GM opponents. A big one will be that the poor will starve if food is labeled genetically engineered. Another tactic will be branding everybody who refuses to eat GM food as a granola-eating hippie.

It looks like it’s going to be much harder for average people to control what their families eat in the near future. Only those of us who take action now will be able to keep healthy food on our tables.

When a technology begins to blend seamlessly into its surroundings, this is a sure sign that the technology in question has reached a mature stage in its evolution. Usually, the process of development will not progress this far until an older version of a promising technology has achieved a significant degree of marketplace penetration and profitability. But in the case of solar energy, the tides of innovation are sweeping up to shore so fast that solar is already on the verge of being reinvented even though its overall impact on the energy economy has up until now been negligible.

This proves that while good ideas will eventually triumph, great ideas cannot be held back even temporarily.  Building-integrated photovoltaics are the personification of the great idea, and that is why they are threatening to revolutionize the entire solar energy industry despite the fact that solar remains a road largely untraveled.

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised

The conventional approach to the harvesting of solar energy for heat and electricity involves the installation of an array of solar panels on the roof of an existing structure or in another convenient location nearby. This separation of building from system has been standard, and for a long time it was assumed this is the way it must be.

Passive solar energy, on the other hand, operates from different assumptions. Here, home and commercial design choices are made to take advantage of the sun’s inherent ability to provide heat and light, and the necessity of converting the sun’s emissions into a more usable form of energy is thus eliminated. In this case, the “solar sensibility,” as it might be called, actually shapes architectural choices, which represents a return to traditional ways of living that work with nature rather than treating it as something to be conquered or overcome.

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Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) represent a brilliant synthesis between the solar sensibility that underlies the passive approach and the active principles of solar energy generation. In building-integrated photovoltaic systems, solar panels or arrays of individual photovoltaic cells are used to replace or enhance conventional materials in a building’s envelope. Theoretically, building-integrated photovoltaics could be added to architectural blueprints as readily as any other type of construction material, with the imagination being the only potential limitation on the technology’s applicability. With BIPV, solar power literally emerges from the structure itself as if by magic, after which it can be put to use in the same way as the electricity generated by a normal flat-panels solar array attached to a roof normally would be.

The ultimate example of function merged with form, building-integrated photovoltaics have the potential to alter residential and commercial construction forever, eliminating the need for solar panels that have to be purchased and installed separately. At the present time, BIPV only holds about 1 percent of the solar energy market, but as research and development continues, this percentage is virtually guaranteed to increase (and increase exponentially) over the next several years.

Thin Film: The Plot Thickens

Up until the 1990s, crystalline silicon solar panels were basically the only game in town. Solar panels with cells made from this material are heavy, rigid, and unsuitable for BIPV, but the invention of thin-film solar cells is the breakthrough that has opened up a wealth of possibilities in the BIPV subfield. Vaporized silicon or another photovoltaic material is progressively condensed onto a substrate made from metal, plastic, or glass, and the result is a solar cell that is no more than a few nanometers to a few micrometers thick. Thin-film cells deposited on a flexible material that can be bent and shaped to fit construction requirements and parameters are ideal for BIPV usage, and when the cells are encased in glass, a hybrid can be created that will give conventional glazing some brand new capabilities. Once a BIPV module has been installed, the only additional material required would be the electrical wiring required to transfer the power generated to where it is needed, but other than that, building-integrated photovoltaics can function as a straight-up replacement for conventional construction materials with no compromise on performance or structural integrity.

Thin-film building-integrated photovoltaics offer workable options for the construction or retrofitting of roofs (either pitched or flat), facades, windows, awnings, skylights, assorted glazing, atriums, greenhouses, and curtain walls – basically everything that you might find in a house or commercial building except flooring and interior walls that are not exposed to sunlight.

The purest form of BIPV is one-for-one replacement, where thin-film solar panels are substituted for the materials that would normally be used to fashion various structural elements in a building. A second form of BIPV involves the overlay of existing materials with an array of thin-film solar cells, almost as if a protective coating were being applied to seal in a façade or roof from the elements (overlain BIPV actually does provide some protection from environmental degradation, in addition to its ability to collect the sun’s energy and convert it to electricity). The third type of BIPV essentially melds thin-film solar cells with glass or plastic to form a hybrid form of glazing that allows in natural light while also harvesting a portion of the solar emissions that hit it in order to produce an electric current. The thin-film solar cells are sandwiched between two panes, but the layer they form on the interior of the glazing is transparent enough not to interfere with light’s natural through-flow.

As for the energy harvested, it can be put to use in almost any way that a home or business owner sees fit. With enough BIPV installed, a building’s entire energy needs could conceivably be filled, although in many cases the power produced is used to carry out certain specialized tasks.

Thin-Film Solar: The Good News And The Bad News

As goes thin-film solar, so will go BIPV. Like most everything else in life, thin-film solar cells have plusses and minuses, and the more successful researchers are in overcoming those minuses, the more quickly the building-integrated approach will progress.

The good news is that because thin-film solar panels require such a reduced amount of photovoltaic material in comparison to crystalline silicon, they only cost about half as much to manufacture and purchase. The cost savings are even greater when thin-film is used in building-integrated modules because they are replacing conventional construction materials, and it is this “two-for-one” aspect of BPIV that ultimately promises big savings in the long run.

But the bad news is that at the present time we must unfortunately emphasize the phrase “in the long run,” because as of right now, BIPV modules do not offer the cost advantages they might in the future when the technology improves, and that they would need to offer in order to make them a practical option for most home builders. Because thin-film cells use unrefined materials (most include amorphous non-crystalline silicon as the primary photovoltaic ingredient), they resist electrical flow to an extent that is far from ideal, and as a result, conventional flat-panel crystalline silicon solar panels are currently twice as efficient as their thin-film cousins. What this means of course is that twice as many thin-film panels must be deployed to match crystalline silicon panel production, which eats up expected cost savings right at the beginning. Complicating things further, because the whole BIPV process is still so new, there are no economies of scale to help keep production costs down. Installation experience and expertise is also still quite hard to find and therefore highly in demand, making building-integrated photovoltaics very much a seller’s market.

A further problem with BIPV relates to life span. Because building-integrated photovoltaics are not vented naturally the way solar arrays installed on roofs or on the ground are, they can get a good bit hotter than the conventional option, which is unfortunate because thin-film solar cells are more susceptible to heat-related degradation than their crystalline counterparts. And as thin-film panels degrade, they begin to malfunction, which is a problem because they are not really very efficient even when they are still pristine and in perfect working order.

Even if some of these problems are solved, and thin-film and BIPV are able to close the cost-efficiency gap with crystalline silicon, there are still some regulatory and quality-control issues that will need to be worked out. With roofing, for example, differing versions of International Building Codes have been adopted for use across the U.S., and in addition to meeting solar installation codes, BIPV set-ups must also conform to established construction standards with respect to stability, fire safety, durability, and so on. At the present time, there are still some incongruities and uncertainties here, and therefore there is no guarantee that every BIPV product currently on the market will be manufactured to fully meet every building code requirement to which it might be subject.

But while the bad news with BIPV might seem like too much to overcome, it is clear that building-integrated photovoltaics are one of those classic “it’s only a matter of time” technologies that will ultimately smash through all limitations and barriers just as surely as the sun will continue to rise in the east.

Building-Integrated Photovoltaics: Today And Tomorrow

Building-integrated photovoltaics and residential construction are a match made in heaven. Unfortunately, the technology is still so new that it has not moved past the customized stage into mass production, and as such, it is an option that most will not be able to afford at this time.

But while BIPV is currently out of the price range of most, for either new construction or retrofit, this is almost assuredly a temporary state of affairs. In fifteen to twenty years, those who are ready to go off-the-grid for good will likely be moving into homes that feature numerous building-integrated photovoltaic features, and based on how far and how fast BIPV has come already, the number of people looking to do so may be far greater than even the most pie-in-the-sky pro-solar optimist may ever have imagined.

Alternative fuel development at the commercial level in the U.S. holds some promise. However, the world has become so dependent on petroleum products as a fuel source that the chances of the modern transportation system being somehow salvaged through a seamless transition to alternative fuels that can be produced entirely on home soil seems remote. Switching to a transportation system that does not rely on fossil fuels is certainly possible, in theory; but for a world-historical revolution of this magnitude to occur, it is likely that the existing order will have to crash and burn first and that new and better ways will have to be constructed somehow from the recycled refuse of a society and an economy left in ruins.

The future we are facing collectively does seem grim indeed.  But fortunately, the “can-do” spirit of the American people, and of people in general, is strong and not easily repressed. Those who realize the modern world order is doomed are already taking steps to protect themselves by becoming more independent and self-sufficient, and also by learning how to live more consciously and intentionally so that they will never be caught unprepared for any sudden crisis or development.

Most people are so used to heading off to the gas station to fill their cars or trucks that it would never occur to them that there might be another option. But demonstrating that irrepressible “can-do” spirit, enterprising souls motivated by pure off-the-grid sensibilities (and a disgust with the price of gas, no doubt) have developed an ingenious method for manufacturing usable biologically based fuel right at home, thereby giving interested parties the opportunity to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels products that must be shipped in from far away and are controlled by a monopolistic industry that fixes prices as casually as the rest of us fix toast for breakfast. Biodiesel produced in factories may very well be a part of a new and improved mass transportation system down the line, but home brewers are making it a part of the greater off-the-grid movement in the here and now, and with a small investment of money and a reasonable investment of time and effort, you too can begin manufacturing high-quality fuel right on your very own homestead.

The Biodiesel Biography

Biodiesel is vegetable oil that, through a chemical process, has been transformed into a combustible fuel that can be used to power any machine that runs on diesel or conventional fuel oil, including cars, trucks, tractors, lawnmowers, boats, buses, electrical generators, and oil-burning furnaces. When the first diesel engine was introduced in 1900 by German inventor Rudolph Diesel, it was actually powered by peanut oil, so the basic idea behind the biodiesel concept is nothing new. But by the time diesel engines went into mass production, cheap oil had conquered the world, and biodiesel was essentially forgotten as petro-diesel flooded the market.

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Commercial production of biodiesel in the U.S. began in earnest in the 1990s, but unfortunately the industry is currently controlled by powerful agribusiness companies, which have hijacked the supply chain and essentially forced producers to rely on soybeans as their source of vegetable oil. This is a distortion of true market forces because soy is quite inefficient when used for this process, but because that is where the profits are in corporate farming, soy is the only option being seriously pursued in biodiesel production at the macro level. It would require 2.8 billion acres planted with soy to make enough biodiesel to meet all U.S. transportation needs – only 72 million acres are currently in cultivation, so terra-forming the moon might be necessary to make that happen. As things stand now, it seems obvious that large-scale production of biodiesel will never be able to meet more than a fraction of our overall fuel needs, if we expect to continue at the same standard of living.

But economy begins at home, and the problems of a society on a collision course with a dark destiny should not be confused with the capacity of off-the-gridders, homesteaders, and plucky pioneers of all stripes to take control of their own fates and to manage their own lives more effectively than participation in a dysfunctional mass culture normally would allow. Homemade biodiesel can potentially fill a respectable percentage of a household’s fuel needs, and if you are currently running diesel engines or are considering the possibility of doing so in the near future, you can definitely save money and enhance your self-sufficiency if you are willing to take a how-to course on this fascinating subject.

Yes, You Really Can Make Your Own Biodiesel

Before we begin with a short description of how home biodiesel brewing works, it is important to emphasize that what we are offering here is only an overview or brief introduction to the process. If you decide this is actually something you would like to try, you will need to do some real in-depth research into the subject, and it would be an excellent idea to visit some websites or watch some of the videos that are available online to get more detailed information about how to do it right. As you will see, making biodiesel at home is really not difficult at all, but the process is potentially dangerous to everyone on your homestead because of the toxicity, flammability, and instability of the chemicals that you will be using. No one should be scared away from biodiesel by this warning, however, because if the proper precautions are taken, you should be able to start producing fuel very safely and without worry.

To make biodiesel on your homestead, in addition to a source of vegetable oil you will also need wood alcohol (methane is used most commonly) and a catalyst that can set off the necessary chemical reactions that drive the process. Sodium hydroxide, which is more popularly known as lye, is frequently chosen to play the catalyst role.

A mixture that includes one gallon of alcohol for every five gallons of vegetable oil and an amount of catalyst equal to about one-tenth of one percent of the oil you will be attempting to alchemize should do the trick, although specific recommendations may vary slightly depending on whose recipe or methodology you are attempting to follow. The vegetable oil could come from an original freshly harvested source, but in most cases, home brewers acquire used vegetable oil in mass quantities from restaurants that would otherwise be forced to discard it as waste.

Before beginning, it will be necessary to put the used vegetable oil through a filtering process that will remove any debris or food particles. The simplest way to do this is to put it in plastic barrels or pails, cover it with dark plastic, and let it sit outside in the sun for a day or two, where the heat will cause the oil to float to the top and its pollutants to sink to the bottom. Once all the gunk and junk that collects on the bottom of the pails has been drained out, the cleaner vegetable oil left behind can then be poured through a filter to be further purified.

To begin making biodiesel, drums, barrels, tanks, or other suitable containers will need to be provided to hold the oil-alcohol-catalyst mixture, but once they are it is simply a matter of mixing the methane and the lye together first and then pouring the chemical compound created into the purified vegetable oil so the whole witch’s brew can begin to bubble.

If the solution is agitated continuously for several hours and then left to stand for a day or so, the reaction should be complete, and you should have usable biodiesel to harvest. The most common method to initiate the chemical metamorphosis, however, is through the application of heat. The chemical stew should be heated to temperatures exceeding 120 degrees Fahrenheit but not exceeding 148 degrees, which is the boiling point of methanol. The reaction should proceed relatively quickly when heat is applied, but of course you will need to keep the heat turned on for a longer period of time depending on how large of a supply of oil plus additives you are attempting to process.

When the reaction is complete, you will be left with two byproducts: glycerin, which can be used to make soap, and methyl esters, which is the chemical moniker for biodiesel. It will be necessary to let the prepared solution sit for eighteen hours so the lighter biodiesel can rise to the top, after which the glycerin will be drained out through the bottom of the tank.

Before the biodiesel is ready to actually use, you will need to mix it with a generous amount of water that will naturally “wash” away any molecules of glycerin, alcohol, or catalyst that might still be contaminating your solution. But once this step has been completed, there is really nothing left to do – you will now have a reliable supply of diesel fuel that can be used to run your automobiles (those that use diesel only, of course), farm machinery, electrical generator, oil-burning furnace (don’t overlook this option!), buses, or train, if you are lucky enough to have your very own diesel-powered locomotive on the property (which admittedly is unlikely, but it is very cool to think about).

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Biodiesel: The Pros and the Cons

You might have the impression at this point that home-brewed biodiesel is the cat’s meow with the cherry on top; or, conversely, you may be extremely skeptical about the practicality of the whole concept. But before you summarily reject the idea of making your own biodiesel, or on the other hand, before you dive headlong into the deep end of the biodiesel pool (metaphorically speaking obviously, as you wouldn’t want to do that for real), you need to take a full accounting of the pros and cons of this type of fuel.

First, lets look at the pros:

• Home-brewed biodiesel will work in any type of modern diesel engine or as a replacement in any machine that burns fuel oil.
• The costs for producing biodiesel at home – with used vegetable oil acquired for free – usually ranges somewhere between 50 cents and $1 per gallon with all inputs factored in.
• Even if you can’t produce enough to run a machine exclusively on biodiesel, what you have can be mixed with petro-diesel or home heating oil in any proportion and still deliver excellent results.
• Biodiesel is not a hazardous material, and it can be stored and even transported without concern.
• Biodiesel is an excellent lubricant that will help to extend engine life.
• With a little ingenuity and a good source of information on how to go about doing it (which is easy to find online), you can build your own biodiesel-making apparatus using recycled parts and inexpensive materials for as little as $150.

But we must also acknowledge the cons:

• Biodiesel works in modern diesel engines, but not in anything made before about 1994, where it can cause rubber parts to break down and leak.
• Most people who home brew this stuff use recycled vegetable oil because using new oil made from a crop such as canola, sunflowers, mustard, or peanuts would drive up the cost significantly. (The idea of making biodiesel at home with original crops would represent the height of self-sufficiency, but there is a good reason why you don’t find a lot of inspiring testimony out there from people who have actually tried to do this.)
• While biodiesel may not be dangerous, the chemicals used to make it are, to the nth degree, which is why all sorts of safety equipment (goggles, heavy rubber gloves, thick aprons, respirators, explosion-proof electrical fixtures, etc.) will need to be purchased and used if you are going to handle them safely.
• It is nice that biodiesel can be stored without worries about its toxicity or flammability, but it must be stored inside during the winter because it will begin to gel and coagulate at much higher temperatures than petro-diesel.
• In the wintertime, it will not be possible to use a mixture that has more than 20 percent biodiesel to run a vehicle because of the gelling problem just referenced.
• Biodiesel dissolves the sludge that builds up inside engines that have been using petro-diesel, which is beneficial for the engine but will cause fuel filters to clog frequently.
• If you are not up for the DIY approach, buying a new biodiesel home manufacturing unit could cost you more than $2,000.

So Is Biodiesel Right For You?

Anyone interested in making biodiesel at home should harbor no illusions. Most likely it will only be worth the trouble if you can secure a reliable supply of used vegetable oil, which means that the practice will not leave you quite as self-sufficient and dependent on your own means as you might prefer. But if you are looking for a way to reduce your reliance on fossil fuels while saving money and learning skills that can increase your overall capacity for independence, making your own biodiesel for use in your vehicles, furnace, generator, lawn mower, or boat is one of the better – and simpler – ways to do it.

Biodiesel production at the industrial scale is not particularly efficient and will definitely not save society from paying the consequences of its overreliance on oil. But making your own biodiesel at home will allow you to increase your personal efficiency, and it will give you knowledge that could come in handy down the line when the petroleum really hits the fan. If you have anything at all that runs on diesel, you should consider at least experimenting with biodiesel home brewing, perhaps in collaboration with neighbors, friends, or family so that you can share the costs and the work involved.

With a cooperative approach, you won’t have to invest much money at all if you make your own production apparatus and are able to get used vegetable oil for free, so you really would have everything to gain and nothing to lose by giving it a try.

As cosmic citizens, Captains Kirk and Picard were no doubt convinced that self-sufficient shipboard living was synonymous with interstellar exploration. But thanks to the innovative and adventurous work of one man – architect Michael Reynolds – we have now come to realize that the feeling of community, group camaraderie, and sense of independence that flourish in the shipboard environment can still be achieved even if we jettison the quest for far-flung adventure. In reality, some of the best and most satisfying human adventures can be found right here on earth, in marvelous vessels that were never intended to leave the surface of our planet.

Earthships: this is the name coined by Michael Reynolds to describe the innovative style of home building and self-sufficient low-consumption living that he pioneered back in the 1970s. While Reynolds was neither a part of the astronaut program nor a confidant of Gene Roddenberry, he was nevertheless inspired by the self-sufficient and hyper-efficient culture of the interstellar spaceship, as it has so frequently been imagined by science fiction writers and other far-sighted visionaries.

Wandering alone through the infinite depths of space, the passengers and crew of such a spaceship would need to be able to survive for months, if not years, at a time without any kind of outside intervention or assistance. Food, shelter, and energy needs would all have to be met within the closed confines of what would essentially be an island environment, a requirement that would provide logistical, engineering, and design challenges that would push even the brightest technological innovators to their limits.

But efficiency is an imperative for all societies, and in all households, especially those that have been set up to function separately from the false security provided by the electrical grid. Sensible off-the-grid living choices should actually bear a striking resemblance to conditions aboard the starship Enterprise, and this is what makes Reynolds’ earthships so intriguing from the no-grid perspective. Reynolds’ singular mission was to create a type of home that would give its residents a highly developed form of independence as the living quarters themselves blended seamlessly into the surrounding landscape, and his achievement is as fine an example of boldly going where no one has gone before as you would ever hope to find.

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But what exactly are these self-contained units of living that recreate the spaceship experience here on our fragile blue planet? After learning more, anyone not previously familiar with earthships are likely to be quite pleasantly surprised by what Michael Reynolds and those who have followed in his footsteps have been able to accomplish. But there is nothing magical at work here – as Mr. Spock would certainly point out if he were here, earthships are eminently and relentlessly logical in their conception, design, and execution.

Earthships From Lift-Off To Touchdown

From the outside, earthships really do look like saucer-like vessels whose pilots have set them down upon the face of the earth before digging in to survive for the long haul. But on the inside, these sturdy, bunker-like structures are spacious, comfortable, well-lit, and entirely modern in appearance. Opportunism combined with artistic flair characterize earthships in both the construction phase and in the residential experience they offer, and no one who has been fortunate enough to see one up close has failed to be impressed by the vision of functionality and efficiency it represents.

Some have suggested that Michael Reynolds is more alchemist than architect, affecting the transformation of waste, dirt, and garbage into off-the-grid residential gold. But in reality, Reynolds is first and foremost an efficiency expert who saw possibility where others only saw trash. The style of construction he invented works with recycled materials because they are cheap, available, and exquisitely functional, and the mentality that prizes economy and efficiency above all else naturally gravitates toward choices that promote self-sufficiency in general, making the earthship concept and the off-the-grid lifestyle a match made in heaven.

What follows is a quick rundown of the various elements of an earthship. As you will see, earthships really do offer economy, efficiency, ingenuity, cost-control, and self-sufficiency all at the same time – quite an achievement, to be sure.

The Building Site

Rather than sitting on top of the earth, fully exposed to the elements, earthships are essentially planted in the ground like seeds, with north, east, and west sides bermed or buried and only the south side exposed to the open air. Earthships can be entrenched on hillsides or mountainsides (the perfect option for those who like great views) or dropped down directly into specially excavated holes on flat lands, and ideally their concrete foundations should be buried at depths that will protect the home from extreme outdoor temperatures. Properly implanted earthships should be able to preserve their thermal equilibrium throughout the summer and winter.

Exterior Walls

The exterior walls of earthships (or more specifically, earthship rooms, as we will explain momentarily) are constructed from old tires that have been packed full of dirt pounded in by a sledgehammer. After being filled, the tires are piled one on top of the other in staggered layers, with large tires on the bottom and smaller-sized tires on each successive level. The spaces between the tires are then patched up with mud, before the whole arrangement is coated with plaster, adobe, or stucco finish.  Departing from the normal style, north, east, and west walls are built up in a series of U-shaped modules arranged linearly, each opening to the south. Once an earthship is finished, each module will function as a separate room, connected by a long corridor or hallway located at the front of the house. Nearly three feet thick from top to bottom, the series of finished tire walls that have been constructed should be more than capable of bearing any load or meeting any building code requirements. Needless to say, these types of walls have excellent insulating properties, and their most notable feature is their high thermal mass, which allows them to moderate indoor temperatures by absorbing and eventually re-emitting enormous amounts of heat at a gradual and sustainable rate.

The Southern Façade

The southern wall of the earthship is composed entirely of slanted transparent glass, designed to allow ample penetration of sunlight.  Naturally, the amount of heat and light produced inside the home from the sun’s energetic rays can be quite substantial, but because the high-thermal-mass tire walls absorb and re-release much of this heat on a time lag, indoor temperatures are generally kept consistent over the course of a twenty-four-hour day during all four seasons. Operable skylights and fan systems may still be needed to ventilate the house on hot summer days, however, and some kind of shading should be provided on the outside of the home to limit the amount of sunlight that enters on days when the mercury is soaring. This shading could be something retractable installed directly above the windows, or it could be in the form of deciduous trees that will foliate during the summer but lose their leaves during the winter months when more direct sunlight is desired. In winter, it may be necessary to have indoor fans in operation that will distribute the passive solar heat collected to the rear sections of the U-shaped modules/rooms that form the horizontal expanse of the home. In order to guarantee that the tire walls will be able to radiate enough heat to keep the indoor spaces warm during the coldest months, maximum module size should not exceed 468 square feet (eighteen feet by twenty-six feet).

The Roof

Roofs on earthships are comprised of beams that span the length of each U-shaped module, with decks on top and plenty of insulation between roof and ceiling. Soil from the excavation site is often piled on top of the roof to provide extra protection against the elements, although this step would obviously not be necessary if the earthship were being built inside a cavity created in a hill or mountainside. Part of the reason for the modular approach to wall construction is the fact that roof beams would become overstressed by the weight above them if they had to cover an expanse more than eighteen feet across. So, if the earthship being built will be larger than eighteen by twenty-six feet (and most will be, obviously), a series of walls will need to be used to ensure safe roof construction.

Interior Walls

Staying with the theme of using recycled materials whenever possible, extra interior walls and partitions added to the basic tire wall structure are made from cement mortar inlaid with aluminum cans, covered up with a mud plaster finish, and perhaps painted with latex paint for improved appearance. Recycled glass bottles are also sometimes fused to create partitions capable of reflecting the sun’s natural light in fantastic and visually pleasing patterns.

Greenhouses

Many earthship builders choose to install greenhouses behind the southern façade, and as long as water is available for irrigation, a wide range of fruits and vegetables can be successfully grown indoors in this environment. Self-sufficiency in food is important for off-the-gridders, and properly-designed earthship greenhouses are capable of making a significant contribution to a family’s diet. It is important to keep the greenhouse closed off from the rest of the home, however, to protect living areas from excess heat and moisture.

Water Systems

Gray water from sinks, bathtubs, and washing machines is recycled for use in irrigation and for flushing toilets, while black water produced by toilets must be pumped into a septic tank located somewhere on the property underground. Rainwater collection and purification systems or onsite wells will allow prospective earthship builders to choose land that may be far off the beaten path, and both are good options for those determined to stay off the water grid as well as the electrical grid.

Backup and Additional Heating and Energy Production Systems

Solar panels, wind turbines, and wood stoves can all complement the passive solar heat and light that earthships harvest in abundance. Fans may be needed to facilitate effective air circulation in some cases, to make sure that heat collected through southern windows is distributed evenly throughout the structure.

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Tales From The Dark Side: The Drawbacks Of Earthships

Do earthships sound too good to be true? According to some, that is exactly what they are, and these folks urge those considering this option to proceed with extreme caution at the very least. While the majority of those who have chosen to construct earthships appear to be satisfied with their choice, this sentiment is certainly not universal – and even many who like them still have complaints.

According to detractors, some of the problems that plague earthships include:

• Moisture – Earthships frequently suffer from roof leaks, and molds often form on interior walls because of elevated indoor moisture levels. Covering the outer walls and roof with a waterproof membrane while providing for drainage might be able to prevent these problems, which is why it is surprising that articles on earthship construction seldom recommend this option. Because of potential moisture issues, if an earthship is to be built in an environment with humidity rates that routinely rise above 50 percent, the foundation of the home will need to be suspended off the ground on concrete piers and beams, so that air can flow beneath the structure and provide natural ventilation that will help keep molds from forming on the home’s interior.
• Excess heat – The regulating effects of high-thermal-mass walls notwithstanding, excess heat inside of earthships during the daytime can be a significant problem, even in wintertime. Southern windows oriented to the southeast instead of true south can help, as can shade trees, retractable window covers, fans for interior air redistribution, and skylights that open to the outside and are able to facilitate good air flow.
• Poor light penetration – Even in the daytime, supplemental forms of lighting are usually required in the rear sections of the U-shaped modules that form the rooms of an earthship.
• Lack of access to water – At the present time, earthships are most commonly found in the desert areas of northern New Mexico, which is Michael Reynolds’ home territory. Earthships seem perfect for dry elevated locations that don’t experience temperature extremes, which can overtax a passive solar set-up in winter or provide too much interior heat in summer, but securing adequate water supplies off the grid can sometimes be next to impossible in these types of environments.
• Tire off-gassing – Earthship boosters claim this is not a problem, but to prevent tire decay and gassing, it is necessary to keep tire walls completely air tight at all times. They must be inspected constantly, and any cracks in the plaster or adobe must be fixed immediately. The gases emitted by decaying tires are inimical to human health and should be kept out of the interior of the home at all costs.
• Cost savings are exaggerated – Advocates assert that earthships are at least 25 percent cheaper to build on average than homes that rely on conventional materials. Others, however, dispute this, claiming that unless a family builds an earthship entirely on its own, the alleged cost savings will all but disappear. Fortunately, earthships are relatively easy for DIY’ers to construct, but in order to make sure further savings are enjoyed beyond the free labor, a real effort to use as much recycled stuff as possible will need to be undertaken.
• “The best laid plans of mice and men…” – Earthships may use recycled materials, but there is nothing second-hand about the type of craftsmanship they require. A finely tuned earthship can be a beautiful thing to see and to live in, but if any corners are cut or if any aspect of the project is sloppily executed, a chain reaction of malfunction could be set off that will end up causing just the sort of problems we have been discussing. Many things that look great on paper don’t work out so well when they are actually put into practice, which is why the best laid plans of mice and men do indeed often go astray, as the old adage states. So proper earthship construction absolutely demands great care, and if anything is done half-heartedly, an earthship owner could find himself stuck with a real lemon.

The Earthship Has Landed

Like anything else, an earthship is only as good as the effort that is put into designing and building it. Earthships are not perfect, and because perhaps no more than a few hundred have been built across the country up until this time, mostly in the southwest, there is still an aura of experimentation about the whole concept that might scare off some. But there are many people out there who have built earthships, often all on their own, who are extremely happy with the living experience these innovative homes offer, and anyone who is determined to get the straight scoop about earthships should search out the testimonies of these adventurous souls before they do anything else.

Some believe that space is the final frontier. But right here on earth, truly efficient and independent living may be the final frontier we will all need to conquer if we expect to survive an uncertain future. Earthships are designed to provide safety, security, self-sufficiency, and comfort in good times and bad, and this could make them an ideal residential option for off-the-gridders who are truly serious about making it through the trials and tribulations that may be coming in the years ahead.

©2013 Off the Grid News

If there are days when living off the grid seems a troublesome or exhausting task, it is important to remember that in addition to whichever individual factors caused your family to choose this lifestyle, you have chosen the most conscientious and reliable way to live in a future that is so marred by uncertainty. As the stability of crops sinks and prices rise accordingly, it is more important than ever that you are able to depend upon your family and your own efforts to feed, clothe, and power your daily needs.

What Is The problem?

The most important risk facing the United States and every individual living on the planet is the ongoing and continually worsening drought from which we are suffering. Drought is one of the most disastrous risk factors for our water supply, our food supply, and our public health. Over half the United States was in some state of moderate or extreme drought in June 2012, according to National Climatic Data Center statistics. The United States hadn’t seen a drought percentage that high since 1956, and it doesn’t bode well for future years.

Environmental Risks

Texas just suffered (and have only technically emerged from) the worst drought since the 1800s. Rivers and lakes in Texas suffered drastically, falling far below normal levels. Mimicked across the country, rivers and lakes lost millions of fish as the heat and drought made their natural habitats untenable to continue to live in. It might be difficult to isolate exactly how far reaching the impact of the drought was, so take a simple example. The trees you find in cities like Austin? 5.6 million of them died over the course of the drought, costing the state over $560 million. That’s not an easy loss to recover from, especially considering the huge health benefits, among others, that such trees yield.

Losing Corn Crops

Corn is one of our most important crops, as it is a major ingredient in almost every mass produced good in the country. If you have ever driven a car, brushed your teeth, taken aspirin, built a home (using drywall), or used glue, you have depended on a corn-based product beyond the corn-based food products you encounter every day. Lest you think the problems we are facing with corn crops affect only the unlucky residents of the United States, remember that we export more corn than anyone else in the world. With both our corn yields and exports dropping, it is important that each family begins to stockpile and prepare for a (very near) future in which there will be no corn left to export, with barely enough to meet our domestic needs.

Warning Signs That Triggered The Deadliest Famines In History…

U.S. corn reserves are the lowest they have been in fifteen years, and with such drastic reductions in corn production, it is unlikely that we will be able to replace the reserves. Not only was 2012 the third year in a row that we saw such a decline in corn production, but also about half of the corn that was produced was in such poor condition that it wasn’t usable for many of the industries that depend on quality corn production. Meat prices, for example, will continue to rise as feed becomes scarcer to find and more expensive to finance. It is not just that crops in one year are suffering; permanent damage is being done to farmland that will be difficult, if not impossible, to reverse with our current resources.

As our ability to produce corn fades away, prices skyrocket. Corn prices rose by more than 62 percent in just one summer, maxing out at over $8 a bushel in 2012. The effect that corn prices have on every major goods industry as well as the overall economy is not to be understated. The price of most food will rise, and that provides a fantastic case for continuing to grow, produce, and store your own food. Families in most developing countries spend about 75 percent of their monthly income on food. In the United States, a family of four living under the Federal Poverty Level has an average of $4.23 to spend on food per person per day. Were the price of corn to continue to skyrocket, each of these families would be increasingly unable to stretch their meager budgets to provide for their families. The reality is that the U.N. has recorded a 17 percent increase in the cost of cereal, and a 12 percent increase in the price of sugar. Families who depend on cheap staples will not be able to feed their families.

Ethanol Standards And The Problems They Cause

It seems logical that there would be safeguards in place to prevent such a drought from immediately impacting the country in such a harsh way. While that is true (after all, we, at one point, had generous corn reserves), even our reserves are suffering. Many who carefully examine the status quo will point to new government ethanol requirements as the source of much angst, and they would be correct. Current government standards require that gasoline production includes 13.2 billion gallons of ethanol, something that funnels almost 40 percent of the corn that we have managed to produce in recent years off to the petrol industry, rather than be used for mass production, food, exports, and animal feed. One analyst from New England Complex Systems Institute, Yaneer Bar-Yam, notes that “given the possibility of price-driven famines, burning corn for cars is unconscionable.”

Without a reversal in these governmental regulations, whether we will emerge from the drought with our infrastructure unharmed or in serious harm is still up for debate.

Will The Drought Continue?

The worst news is that neither scientists nor farmers believe that things are going to turn around anytime soon. Jake Crouch, a NDCC climatologist, predicted that the drought could expand and worsen; after the two worst droughts since the Dust Bowl years, it is almost impossible to suppose that the drought will quickly ease up. Without massive overhauls of our farming, production, and consumption habits as well as government policies, there is absolutely no foreseeable solution to prevent ongoing damage to our crops, our livelihoods, and our health.

It seems like a huge jump from no rain to a revolution, but in Egypt, for example, the drought followed a relatively predictable pattern and resulted in a complete government overthrow. I’m not suggesting that the United States federal government is likely to be overturned, but you should consider that political stability always depends on factors that Washington simply cannot control. In Egypt, food prices jumped 37% from 2008 to 2010, leading to huge political protests and regional instability. It is not unthinkable that protests manned in the same huge numbers as Occupy Wall Street would spring up across the country in response to skyrocketing food prices. Are you prepared for food protests? Encountering huge crowds and unrest whenever you do venture to the store for staple ingredients?

That is exactly the kind of thing that you are likely to encounter in a country that will soon be overwhelmed by rising costs – in almost every industry.

©2013 Off the Grid News

Does any of this sound familiar? While there is no way to know for certain how the days of the Great American Empire will end, the one thing we know for sure is that it they will end, and all the signs strongly indicate that the end may be coming soon. But even though empires fall, the human spirit can never be vanquished, which is why a new and better society always arises to replace that which came before. It is this knowledge, this awareness of the possibilities of the future, that ultimately animates the off-the-grid culture. For those seeking to build a better model for living based on self-reliance, voluntary cooperation, and respect for God, it is all about developing an alternative that can improve the quality of our lives now, while also laying down a blueprint around which the next society can re-organize itself following the final destruction of the current order.

The potential destruction that could follow a societal collapse brought on by economic calamity, warfare, terrorism, or environmental breakdown would be so immense and widespread that it would no doubt overwhelm those who are isolated, vulnerable, and dependent on others for their means of survival. Consequently, it behooves anyone who hopes to weather the coming storm to find a place to settle that will provide them with the resources and the opportunities they need to make it through even the darkest hours.

Harness the power of the sun for your off grid energy needs…

Ultimately, to be prepared for all contingencies, preppers and survivalists will need to start coming together in larger numbers to form communities within communities, since even the most self-reliant folks realize there is always more strength in numbers. It is for this reason that much discussion has been going on in survival-oriented circles about which areas of the United States would be the best places for off-the-gridders to gather, and one place that is beginning to generate a lot of buzz is a town located in the stunning red rock country of southern Utah called Cedar City.

The Charms of Cedar City

Cedar City is a settlement of 28,000 people that has been occupying a mountain valley in the southwestern part of Utah for more than 160 years. Surrounded by a vast, expansive desert on one side and by a mountain range that reaches elevations of up to 10,000 feet on the other, Cedar City is somewhat larger than most of the places survivalists tend to focus on, but the natural features of the land as well as its distance from bigger cities would make this a very safe and secure location should catastrophe ever strike. While 28,000 would in itself be a large number of mouths to feed, this is an area where farming and ranching are an important part of the culture, so Cedar City would be better prepared than most places should serious food shortages ever arise. In addition, water supplies are also plentiful, and the mining and timber industries here are thriving. The Cedar City area has been truly blessed by God’s bounty, and as a result, those living here would be able to survive better than most if calamity were ever to come, and they would also be able to operate from a position of strength should dire circumstances ever send us back into a barter economy.

Land prices are in the moderate-to-inexpensive range, although buying a good plot of land with arable soil could cost more than in some of the other places where off-the-gridders are beginning to congregate. Nevertheless, for most, the incredible natural beauty of the Cedar City area would make a little extra investment worth the while. The rugged red rock country of southern Utah is one of God’s most astonishing and sublime creations, and the deep valleys, verdant forests, peaceful streams, and sparkling mountain lakes that this area is also known for only add to the unmatched aesthetic impression that this part of the country makes on visitors and residents alike. Living off the grid is about living closer to God as much as it is about anything else, and it is hard to imagine being able to find a place where the presence of the Creator is more in evidence than southern Utah. As for Cedar City itself, this town has become known as “Festival City USA,” which is a reflection of the fact that there are so many yearly festivals held in Cedar City that there really is something in this amazing place for everyone. Overall, the vibrant culture that enlivens life here goes well beyond what you would expect to find in any city with a population of less than 100,000.

One of the very best things about Cedar City as an off-the-grid destination is that the people here understand what it means to leave the past behind in search of a better life, because they are descended from a group of brave pioneers who did just that.  Utah was settled and built by mavericks who were determined to carve out an independent existence in the midst of conformity, and as such this state represents one of the most successful experiments in building a society from scratch that has ever been seen in human history. Those who live in Utah now have never forgotten their heritage, and they have a high level of respect for those who demand the right to live a free existence where the choices they make are always determined by the dictates of their own consciences, without apology or compromise.

Living Among the Builders

A fertile and productive land, natural beauty in abundance, an inextinguishable can-do spirit, and a history of independence and community-building – this is what southern Utah has to offer those seeking to escape from a corrupt order destined to fall under the weight of its own hubris. Cedar City has so much to offer everyone that it is already an amazing place to live, and if and when troubled times come, the people here will be as well-prepared to handle it as anyone could possibly hope to be. For off-the-gridders who are determined to be ready for anything that might come, Cedar City could be the ideal place to put down new roots.

©2013 Off the Grid News

There are not very many net-zero energy homes on the market today, especially if you are looking for a home under a million dollars. It might be several years before you can find a truly affordable net-zero energy home, but if you are building your own home or you are updating an already existing home, there are some strategies you can implement.

A Complete Guide to Energy Self-Sufficiency at Home

To decrease the amount of energy that you have to purchase from outside sources, it is important to figure out exactly what you have to work with. An energy audit is a great first step; you can pinpoint the major energy inefficiencies in your home and create a strategy. Energy audits are also helpful tools because they can help you find areas of your home that cost the most money. Once you have an energy audit under your belt, sit down and craft a plan. Some of the changes that you will need to make are small ones, like swapping out your light bulbs for more energy-efficient and cost-effective bulbs, while some are large structural changes, such as revamping your home’s insulation. It is a good idea to come up with a budget for home renovations at the beginning of your project so that you do not get too deep into a project before realizing that you cannot quite afford it.

Crucial “Green” Features

Solar panels are an obvious choice, but there are some basic building material choices that can have a big impact on how much energy is required to heat or cool your home.

Windows are usually a source of energy inefficiency, as they leak heat in the winter and absorb far too much heat during the summer. To combat this and help keep your energy costs down, insulate your windows. If your budget is fairly flexible, you can replace your current windows with models that have already been equipped to protect your energy budget. Companies like Vinyltek offer some of the best options, with triple-pane windows that serve several great purposes. These types of windows are designed to let plenty of light into your home and absorb passive solar energy that you can use to produce energy, without losing a lot of heat during the winter or at nights. If you are on the fence about the cost of new windows, look back to your energy audit. It may be a high sticker price, but it could end up saving you a substantial amount of money in energy costs in the long term. For those operating with a smaller budget, you can purchase insulation kits that involve applying an insulating film over the window. The downside to these options is that they usually tint your window slightly, but they do a pretty good job of controlling the amount of heat that comes in and out of your windows.

Patch the leaks in your home. Every home sports minor holes and leaks that can leak hold or cold air back into the environment. The older your home is, the more these holes can add up and cost you money. In most homes, all of the holes and leaks add up to a hole about the size of a basketball. Adding better insulation to your home and patching up the holes that you can find can offset the energy costs that you incur as a result of leaking heat into the outdoors.

If you’re building a home specifically for this purpose, consider choosing concrete floors. Adding rugs can make these homes a little bit more comfortable, but concrete floors are a great way to conserve energy. Couple concrete floors with a water heating system under the floor, and the heating system could be as much as 200 percent efficient. If you are working with a contractor, you can also visit wholesale retailers in the area to use reclaimed materials, such as reclaimed wood flooring and other building supplies that have a much smaller environmental impact because they are not being produced for your home from scratch.

Harness the power of the sun for your energy needs…

Once your home is built, choosing appliances is another big choice that can determine the energy efficiency of your home. Appliances can easily run up the monthly electricity bill, so replacing fridges, washers, dryers, and dishwashers can cut a substantial portion of your energy bill out. The older your appliances are, the more energy inefficient they are, so simply upgrading to newer models is a good first step. The market offers energy-efficient fridges, for example, than use less that 50 percent of the energy that a fridge from ten years ago uses. An energy-efficient appliance should be pretty easy to spot on the market because they will be sporting an “Energy Star” label. This marking means that the appliance not only meets the energy efficiency minimum standards; they exceed it. Making a monthly schedule for food and groceries, if you do not already, can be a valuable tool when you are shopping for appliances. Choosing a fridge that is just big enough for your needs can cut energy costs because you are no longer paying for a huge fridge that is not needed.

Solar Power Installations

The most important component of any net-zero energy home is your solar power installations. The main goal of a net-zero energy home is to produce more energy than you use each year. Some days, it will be impossible to produce the amount of energy that you need to complete daily tasks. If you retrofit (or build) your home with energy costs in mind, however, you will be able to produce more than enough energy to power your home throughout the year. If you think that you cannot successfully install solar panels, think again! Solar panels can be installed in sunny or cloudy areas easily, and there are advantages and disadvantages to operating solar panels in each area. If you live in a warm area that typically receives a lot of sunlight, it is easy to collect enough solar rays to power your home, but the heat causes the panels run less efficiently than they optimally could. If you live in a cool or cloudy area—think areas like Seattle or other parts of the Pacific Northwest—solar panels operate at optimal efficiency. Despite conventional assumptions, solar panels absorb plenty of solar rays through the clouds.

The two most important steps towards creating an energy-efficient home are installing energy conscious insulation and solar panels, so work on covering your roof in solar panels. These two choices mean that you can likely cover your energy costs completely during the moderate months of the year, and you will end up paying a only small monthly bill during the most temperature intense months of the year. Websites like zero-energyplans.com can help you construct basic blueprints for net-zero energy homes that you can adapt for your own life.

©2013 Off the Grid News