Traditionally, in every place around the globe, people knew the local wild edible plants and their various uses. This knowledge was derived from traditions, which were formed in a constant process of trial and error, and were passed on meticulously from generation to generation. We can choose to re-learn this tradition, get to know and forage our local wild edible plants! Foraging ads diversity to our diet, is highly nutritional and accessible and is a source for food which is 100% local. … Read more
Fog Nets Harvesting Pure Water from Fog
In the arid hills around Lima people forced onto dry marginal land are using basic fine nylon nets stretched between wooden poles to collect water. As fog and mists blow through the mesh condensation occurs and the water droplets run down the mesh to be collected in a holding tank. This simple technique enables people to grow crops and helps them transform their lives. … Read more
How to Build A Camping Stove This is a short video that will show you how to build a camping stove only using a can, a knife and some rubbing alcohol.
It is a very easy process where one simply cuts a metal can into two pieces and then using a few dents and some rubbing alcohol a camping stove can be built. Watch the video for a clearer explanation on how to do this. … Read more
Just Eat It A Food Waste Story
Film directors Jen Rustemeyer and Grant Baldwin have turned their eye to food waste from farm to fridge and have produced a documentary 'Just Eat It' to highlight the issue and demonstrate that what is currently dumped can provide perfectly nutritious food. They stop buying groceries and survive exclusively on discarded food, challenging the myths behind corporate food production and marketing. Living off rescued goods they demonstrate that this is one environmental problem that can be easily … Read more
Window Farming Grow food on your window
Window Farms are a simple, do-it-at-home hydroponic growing systems. It is relatively small-scale, easy to assemble and using simple, accessible, recycled materials. Window farms were developed by an American woman named Britta Reily, who also coined the term 'R &D. I. Y' which means Research and Development - Do It Yourself. The idea is to experiment together on an open source basis, in order to enhance the development of the Window Farms. You can hear more about the idea on Britta's TED talk … Read more
Culticycle Pedal Powered Tractor
A Culticycle is a pedal powered tractor for cultivation and seeding, built from lawn tractor, ATV, and bicycle parts. With a speed of 3 - 4 mph, depending on choice of gearing and pedaling speed, it keeps the operator fit, minimises soil compaction, uses no fuel, is far cheaper than a tractor and is easily adaptable to specific needs. As a low tech machine it can be built and maintained using basic resources and skills. … Read more
How to Eat Local Ideas for fostering an 'all-local' diet and supporting local economy
'Organic' is just a label Some fruit & veggies can be labeled 'organic', yet still grown in conventional, monocultural methods with certain amounts of spraying. Some processed foods can be labeled 'organic' yet still contain lots of sugar, margarine or other harmful ingredients. In this article we stress the importance of eating local and becoming aware of where food comes from. So Why local? * More sustainable - eating local reduces our carbon footprint - less energy is wasted on … Read more
Warka Water Tower Harvesting Water from Rain, Fog and Dew
Arturo Vittori and his team at Architecture and Vision have created an iconic bamboo tower structure that can harvest water from rain, fog and dew. People have been using the principal for centuries building high-stone structures, air wells that gather moisture from the air and funnel it into a basin for collection. The WarkaWater functions in much the same way, using mesh netting to capture moisture and direct it into hygienic holding tank accessed via a spout. However, the new design is of … Read more
Hempcrete Hemp Fibre Mixed with Lime Forms Eco Structures
The stalks of hemp plants combined with lime have been used to create an ecological efficient wall structure that locks up carbon and provides good insulation and moisture control. A growing band of pioneers have built their homes with this promising and innovative construction that is now being seriously considered as a viable option by main stream housing providers. … Read more
Geodesic Domes A simple, affordable and aesthetic housing solution
Geodesic Domes are simple to build, relatively cheap, beautiful to be in, and can be used as a little house, studio, greenhouse or gathering space of any kind. The geodesic shape was developed by Buckmister Fuller, and is made up of triangles. It can be built as a whole ball or a half ball (a dome) There are different kinds of geodesic domes, depending on the length of their poles. The dome has many advantages: 1. Easy to build yourself 2. Very strong structure - in fact, the … Read more
