IT-staff for GEN-IS
ecovillage.org
Primary interests: Social; Culture; Integral Design; Ecology; Economy
Site content by Ernesto Sun
Solution Library
Food Forests Sustainable agriculture in the form of forestry
There are successful experiences around the world in designing agricultural systems as an imitation of natural eco-systems. The idea is simple yet elegant: by implementing ecological principles in agriculture, we can design a system that functions sustainably like a natural eco-system, and at the same time yields products that are useful for humans, like an agricultural system. Some main characteristics of a food forests are: * High level and a variety of production of food, fiber, animal … Read more
Passive Solar Greenhouse Produce More Food Locally With Less Energy
Groundswell Community Network in British Columbia, Canada have constructed a passive solar greenhouse that greatly extends the growing season for a wide range of crops and reduces energy consumption to a minimum. The north side of the building is insulated and built with a high thermal mass to store heat and the glazed structure is placed on the south side. Surplus heat collected during the day is feed into a heat store beneath the floor. There are also photo-voltaic and solar thermal panels … Read more
Foraging Wild Edible Plants There is great food under our noses...
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
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
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
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
How to plant moringa in your backyard Stop malnutrition with the moringa tree
Moringa Can Wipe out Malnutrition! Is Moringa maybe the best solution for urban agriculture? Growing Urban Food - How to Grow Moringa in a Square Meter Urbanization is changing human demands and straining natural resources. In order to support this lifestyle, the cities must adapt. The current trend of urbanization means that without making our cities more sustainable, there is little hope for a sustainable world. Moringa leaves can be produced intensively in a family-sized small garden with … Read more
Minimalist Shoes Make Your Own Running Sandals
In his book 'Born to Run', Christopher McDougall discovers that unlike the common myth that humans are physically inferior to other land animals, humans are actually the species that is capable of running the longest distances on the planet! He also came to the conclusion that we humans don't actually need shoes to keep up from harm - we can run barefoot. He spent time researching indigenous tribes in the hills of mexico, and found that not only could they run unbelievable distances barefoot … 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
