It is indeed telling. I am happy to provide some more information on price, batteries and viability of such projects in my part of the world.
I am currently enrolled in a grassroots college in Montreal QC, created by experts in their respective fields in order to share their knowledge with over 200 of us, every day people. And by experts, I mean experts in sustainable building materials such as hemp, hempcrete, wood, hay, clay, adobe. Experts promoting the new Living Building Challenge. Experts in thermal mass and passive solar energy. Experts in home and city rain water collection and treatment. Home sewage treatment and management. Permaculture!
That being said, it does require for the general public to seek out this information until it becomes mainstream. It is also primordial to understand that sustainable homes are built for quality and durability. Meaning, less square footage for the same price of a conventional home with the same amount of rooms…just smaller yet, still very comfortable. ;)
As for the batteries, definitely an issue. But, with more people and countries envolved, having the common goal of sustainability, solutions are not far off.
As for the viability of these projects, well, it’s a new/old school of thought which requires effort on our individual part. I am convinced that sustainable/off-grid homes are part of the solution but, that solution requires two other major components:
- A major diet change. Be more plant based in order to really appreciate a greenhouse adjacent to your home…it loses some of its functionality when your meals come mostly from restaurants, fast food or processed foods. Lucky for us, the medical field has finally broken the lobbying barrier in order to promote a plant based, preventative diet, backed by 50 years of peer-reviewed research (nutritionfacts.org, The China Study).
- A zero-waste lifestyle. It takes time and research as well but allows you to live chemical free and helps manage waste efficiently. For me, it started by eliminating one-use items all the way to shopping at zero-waste grocery stores (or bulk) and making DIY products. Keeping stuff and not changing it unless absolutely necessary. Reassessing the word “necessary”. The end game — consuming LESS crap.
It takes us closer to the goal of creating a sustainable home and community. These ideas are spreading fast and delivering on their promises so, there is no going back for me now. I’m not looking to change legislations or the system, it’s actually too daunting to me and seems pointless if people’s minds and habits don’t change. It needs to start at the root. To start with each and every one of us.
Then again, I just read an article about minimalism from HotHouse on Medium and that’s also something we might have to gravitate towards.