First Steps

I stated that I would offer ideas concerning how to live off-grid, conserve water, and otherwise live in a world of dwindling resources on this page and add links to my blog. Today I will describe three very easy ways to decrease energy consumption, conserve fresh water, deal with waste water, and take the first steps to living in a changing world by going off-grid. As an added bonus, you can give the middle finger to the petroleum industry, who through their greed and lies have sacrificed the security, standard of living, and most of all- the birthright to live in a better world than their parents of future generations. In this blog post, I describe how I built (and you can build) 1- a rain-fed bucket solar shower with a waste-water treatment area; 2- a way to make soil from composted poop; and 3- a simple, cheap solar system.

One of the many dire consequences of climate change/global warming is the inevitable drying of many global ecosystems and wide-spread, long term drought. If you study the maps included, you will see the alarming forecast of drought for much of the planet. Below I will describe how to make a rain-capture shower using a 5 gallon bucket, a waste water treatment/catchment area, a dry-composting poop bucket, and describe a basic solar energy system.

Solar rain-capture bucket shower- I started with a simple 5 gallon bucket. If you want, you can cover it with black tape to assist in heating the water in the sun. I connected a regular shower head by drilling and hole and inserting pvc tube, then simply added a male end and screwed on the shower head. I built a simple stand outside and positioned it under a rain spout with a screen filter tied to it to catch rain water. Below it, I planted cattails (Typha latifolia), which drink the waste water and grow like crazy.

I also made a dry- compost bucket for poop as another way to save water. I simply use a 5 gallon bucket in which I place a toilet seat on top, poop in it, cover my offering with a mix of soil and sawdust, then replace the top securely. When it is full, I dump it in an area where I have three holes dug in which I rotate my waste. In three months (I live in the tropics- expect slower composting in colder-dryer climes) I have excellent soil. With this soil I have created gardens in an area of pure clay soil in which I grow tomatoes, peppers, papaya, sugar cane and various herbs and flowers. I use a toilet brush and dish gloves to clean the bucket.

Solar system- I spent less than $400 to buy a Panel, inverter, charge controler, battery, and cables cables. I set it up in about an hour. The panel can be attached to your roof or on a ground stand. I also built a box to hold and protect the components. I am able to run a internet satellite and modem, my laptop, a lamp, and a fan. With another panel and battery, I could run a small refrigerator.

We need to be doing things, not just posting crap on social media. I hope these small easy projects help you see some alternatives to continuing to feed the beast which is destroying our world and sacrificing the future of out descendants.

Peace, g