permaculture

[John Schinnerer <john@eco-living.net>]

Aloha,

> Key options I have so far identified for Canadian winters

Also...
Energy-efficiency/passive solar retrofit to the extent possible for 
existing buildings.
Maximum attention to passive solar and energy efficiency in new buildings.
All as low-tech as possible so it will still be viable without constant 
(or any) grid electricity.

> 4) In BC electricty is now cheaper than nat. gas and may be a mid term
> solution for many except when the lights go out.  The problem is the rates
> will rise soon as we import 10% of our power and must build expensive new
> capacity.

How much of your grid electricity is generated using natural gas?

> In Vancouver Fraser Valley area there are restrictions in some places
> such that a house may not be newly built with wood stove/furnace.  Air
> pollution is a problem in the valley.  Su Dennet is correct in saying that
> if we don't have effecient clean burning wood stoves and furnaces they will
> be made illegal.

When it comes down to winter survival 'illegal' will be irrelevant at 
some point.
So it's important to propagate clean and efficient woodburning ASAP so 
that when it does come down to survival it'll be better than it would 
otherwise.

>  3) ease of use: automatic fuel supply, ignition
> Well we have a culture of  convenience and appeasment not
> everyone will schlep.

Until they have to... :-o :-)

>  One has to consider the needs of seniors

This is only a 'problem' in a culture like ours where age segregation is 
the norm and there are so many elders living in isolation or only with 
other elders.
Solutions are based in cultural change, living (again) in ways where 
elders are cared for as necessary by younger generations.

aloha,
John S.

--

John Schinnerer - MA, Whole Systems Design
------------------------------------------
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