Sustainable Home

The Abundance of Less captures the texture of sustainable lives well lived in these ten profiles of ordinary—yet exceptional—men and women who left behind mainstream existences in urban Japan to live surrounded by the luxuries of nature, art, friends, delicious food, and an abundance of time. Drawing on traditional Eastern spiritual wisdom and culture, these pioneers describe the profound personal transformations they underwent as they escaped the stress, consumerism, busyness, and dependence on technology of modern life.

A natural history of the wilderness in our homes, from the microbes in our showers to the crickets in our basements Even when the floors are sparkling clean and the house seems silent, our domestic domain is wild beyond imagination. In Never Home Alone, biologist Rob Dunn introduces us to the nearly 200,000 species living with us in our own homes, from the Egyptian meal moths in our cupboards and camel crickets in our basements to the lactobacillus lounging on our kitchen counters. You are not alone.

Filled with catchall research, American Hemp examines what this new domestic crop can be used for, what makes it a superior product, and what made it illegal in the first place; the book also delves into the many health and medical benefits of the plant. Hobbs weighs in on how hemp can improve existing industries, from farming to energy to 3D printing, plus how it can make a serious impact on climate change by removing toxins from the soil and by decreasing our dependence on plastics and fossil fuels.

Essential Rainwater Harvesting is a comprehensive manual for designing, building, and maintaining water-harvesting systems for the warm and cold climates of the world. Presenting design considerations and approaches for the most common household rainwater supply scenarios.

Life on one-tenth the fossil fuels turns out to be awesome. We all want to be happy. Yet as we consume ever more in a frantic bid for happiness, global warming worsens. Being the Change explores the connections between our individual daily actions and our collective predicament. The core message is deeply optimistic: Living without fossil fuels is not only possible, it can be better.

Do you dream of leaving the “real world” behind and leading a simpler life? More and more people are choosing to live off-grid, grow their own food, and provide their electricity independently. No matter what your personal reason is, achieving this lifestyle means total independence and freedom. The options for living off-grid are endless - but it does take knowledge, skills, and planning. With detailed tips and information on everything from laws and taxes to hunting and fishing, this thorough book will take your off-grid life from a pleasant daydream to your blissful reality.

Huw Richards set himself a challenge - to grow his own fruit and veg for free for a year. He succeeded, and now wants to help you do the same. Can't afford a raised bed? Try repurposing an old wooden pallet. Don't want to spend money on buying plants? Look in the fridge and your kitchen cupboards for food that you can plant. Need a particular tool? Barter or borrow from a neighbour. Don't have a garden? See if someone in your area has an untended patch you can turn into a well-loved veg plot.

Since available information in this regard is incomplete, DIY Source has prepared a practical guide on how to set up DIY solar power systems. DIY Solar Power for Beginners will guide you in customizing your grid, tied as well as mobile and off-grid solar power systems. We will walk you through the whole process of building your own solar system, including calculating your electricity needs.

Make healthier life choices to heal yourself and the environment through self-sufficiency. Holistic Homesteading by Roxanne Ahern provides the tools for living slowly, intentionally, and better through permaculture, edible gardening, and organic farming.

Start a peaceful revolution by planting an edible ecosystem and sharing the experience with your neighbors. Humans have always thrived in rich, diverse, edible ecosystems. Yet most cities and suburbs are blanketed by lawns, ornamentals, and a lack of biodiversity, let alone anything edible. It is within these sterile landscapes that seeds of an edible ecosystem lie. The Edible Ecosystem Solution is a comprehensive, practical guidebook that looks at underutilized spaces to reveal the many opportunities for landscape transformation.

From the bedroom mattress and pillows to daily cleaning products for the kitchen and bath, toothbrushes, and even furniture and clothing, toxins are embedded in many products and items used regularly in the home—and they are making us sick. Home Detox is a practical, accessible guide to understanding the problem and how we can address it in our own homes in a manageable and affordable way. Daniella Chace, a professional toxicologist and health writer, teaches listeners how to identify potential toxins, with an easy-to-follow, room-by-room evaluation.

I want to share my life story with you as a way to help others going through a difficult situation. I realize that today many are facing financial and other major life issues. At first I went about my life, enjoying everything I had and none the wiser about how difficult things could become. However, that's when my life changed. It wasn't long after I lost my job that I found myself struggling to support my wife and our six-year-old son. I began to worry about what I was going to do and how I could possibly turn the situation around.

If imagining a life of energy independence by harnessing the sun's power to light your home excites you, this book is for you! Discover how to achieve energy independence through off-grid solar power with this modern, updated guide. Learn how anyone, regardless of technical experience, can understand and implement off-grid solar power. Whether you’re a hands-on DIY enthusiast or an eager beginner, this book is tailored for you.

Most people who are considering off grid living, are those who are wanting to escape the stress and busyness of city life, and enjoy the peace and tranquility of country living. Owning your own property, and providing for your needs with self-sufficiency projects sounds wonderful and fun, but what are the most important self-sufficiency/survival projects, and how do you accomplish them? That is where this book will help.

Written for novice and experienced DIY enthusiasts, this is an A-to-Z guide to ensure your success in turning a plain shipping container into a beautiful home.

Do you long for the country life? Hobby Farming For Dummies is a practical guide that will show you how to handle all the basics of small-scale farming, from growing healthy crops to raising livestock and managing your property. You'll see how to decide what to farm, provide shelter and utilities, select plants, and protect your investment. It's all you need to dig in and start growing!

How to raise chickens like a pro - even if you have zero experience with animals! Have you been toying with the idea of becoming more self-sustainable? Are you exploring the option of raising chickens? Do you have absolutely no idea where to start?Written with a complete beginner in mind, this easy-to-understand guide will give you the confidence you need to expertly navigate this amazing and unimaginably rewarding world.

At the close of the twentieth century, corporate capitalism extended its reach over the globe. While its defenders argue that globalization is the only way forward for modern, democratic societies, the spread of this system is failing to meet even the most basic needs of billions of individuals around the world. Moreover, the entrenchment of this free market system is undermining the foundations of healthy societies, caring communities, and personal wellbeing.

How to Grow Your Own Food is the perfect book for anyone new to gardening or who has tried and failed in the past. It takes you from beginner steps through mastering advanced techniques. This book will guide you through your entire journey, from setting up your garden to tending and harvesting. If all you want is some help with planning and harvesting, this book is perfect. Whether your gardening level is basic or more advanced, this book will have something for you. Download this book today and get started on your very own edible garden.

The Backyard Beekeeper, now in its 4th edition, makes the time-honored and complex tradition of beekeeping an enjoyable and accessible backyard pastime for urban and rural beekeepers of all skill levels. With this completer esource and the expert advice of Bee Culture editor Kim Flottum, your bees will be healthy, happy, and more productive.