Subject: Re: [Homestead] Responses to preserving poles in the ground
Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2007 18:04:30 -0500
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.