Are you interested in exploring alternative means of sustainable living, but don’t think it can be done? Though not as common as it should be, many individuals choose to live off-the-grid and rely on themselves by collecting rainwater, planting gardens, using alternative energy, and more. People are even building their own little ‘Earth dome’ houses. Want to see what I’m talking about? Check out these pictures and video below.
Evolving from historic military bunker construction techniques, Earthbag building is a relatively inexpensive method of construction that uses limited resources at a low cost. The technique uses natural materials (usually local), such as sturdy stacks filled with inorganic material. Subsoil that contains enough clay to become cohesive when tamped, gravel, sand, or volcanic rock are common materials used for Earthbag building.
Construction starts with a trench to the subsoil and is followed by a filling with cobble stones or gravel. Bags or tubes filled with gravel can then be placed inside the trench to provide a water-resistant foundation. Popular bags include Polypropylene (the ones used to transport for rice and other grains) due to low cost and resistance to water damage, rot, and insects.
One Florida woman has gone head to head with a local judge who has declared her efforts to live off the grid illegal and in violation of local and international code ordinances. Similarly, a Florida couple has had to challenge the state when they were told they would be fined $500 simply for having a vegetable garden on property they owned for over 20 years.
It might be time to rely a bit less on others, and more on ourselves.
