[Homestead] Responses to preserving poles in the ground

Gene GeRue genegerue at ruralize.com
Fri Nov 2 18:04:30 EST 2007


On Nov 2, 2007, at 3:57 PM, KNat wrote:

> Sustainability would say build to last as long as regenerating the
> materials it is from.

I like the sound of that but how does one decide on the term? Are you  
connected with people or places that have figured this out?

How long would it take to regenerate the materials of cement,  
plaster, steel fasteners, metal roof panels? The sand that makes  
windows is in nearly infinite supply but the energy to process is not  
unless we harness that nuclear energy plant that is out there about  
ninety gazillion miles distant. Trees will grow to harvest size in  
fifty years.  Insulation from recycled material is available. The  
copper in wiring and water pipe is finite, does not regenerate. Nor  
does the stuff used to make plastic pipe.

Following Don's example, I bought and have read a couple books on  
green building. It is a ton of work but cob building looks very nice  
to me; using the earth itself for walls and floor. But roof, water,  
electric, heating systems are made of high technology using materials  
in finite supply.

What are your suggestions?



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