Garbage Warrior - "building self-sufficient, off-the-grid communities"

[presence]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=YrMJwIedrWU#!

What do beer cans, car tires and water bottles have in common? Not much unless you're renegade architect Michael Reynolds, in which case they are tools of choice for producing thermal mass and energy-independent housing. For 30 years New Mexico-based Reynolds and his green disciples have devoted their time to advancing the art of "Earthship Biotecture" by building self-sufficient, off-the-grid communities where design and function converge in eco-harmony. However, these experimental structures that defy state standards create conflict between Reynolds and the authorities, who are backed by big business. Frustrated by antiquated legislation, Reynolds lobbies for the right to create a sustainable living test site. While politicians hum and ha, Mother Nature strikes, leaving communities devastated by tsunamis and hurricanes. Reynolds and his crew seize the opportunity to lend their pioneering skills to those who need it most. Shot over three years and in four countries, Garbage Warrior is a timely portrait of a determined visionary, a hero of the 21st century.

Michael Reynolds has built communities of homes which stay at 70 degrees through hot and cold extremes and he built them with garbage. He has successfully lobbied to change New Mexico building code to allow for "experimental" housing. Reynolds has a very pro-liberty take on Global Warming which I personally ascribe to. As a builder I very much appreciate his creative approach, his struggles with law, and the off grid solutions in his passive solar homes.

If you are interested in alternative construction, alternative energy, and real world grassroots initiatives; next time you have an 90 minutes please tune in.

One minute "earthship" primer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCGCxW5aTfE&feature=related

 

[Kelly.]

great movie, and a great guy.
his innovation and hard work has spawned a whole subsection of builders that are building homes based on freedom (no mortgage/low or no reoccurring energy costs).

i have been to the main earthship community just outside of taos (greater world community) and have been through a handful of earthships there and throughout colorado. the homes work as advertised, but they need to be operated (ie they arent "set it and forget it" type homes).

I really wish i had the man hours to put into building one of these, especially if you can do it in a low property tax area.
imo, no mortgage and very little energy inputs will the goal of many homeowners in the years ahead (instead of size, which seems to be the goal now)

thanks for posting. RPFs needs more of these types of posts

 

[Acala]

Worth watching for several reasons.

 

[osan]

I liked the documentary. The global warming thing had me rolling my eyes a bit, but I set that all aside. I completely concur with his assessment that the American dream is dead, though perhaps not for the same reasons I took as his... though I am not certain on what basis he made the assertion. To me the dream is dead as the result of the creeping tyranny and stupidity of the majority of Americans and their handlers. We are regulated and Big Brothered to death these days and I for one and full up with it. The tyrants, supported by the timid pansy-people that make up the vast majority of the population these days, have stripped us of nearly all ability to exercise our rights. Of all the places on earth for this to have happened.

 

[jmdrake]

I liked the documentary. The global warming thing had me rolling my eyes a bit, but I set that all aside. I completely concur with his assessment that the American dream is dead, though perhaps not for the same reasons I took as his... though I am not certain on what basis he made the assertion. To me the dream is dead as the result of the creeping tyranny and stupidity of the majority of Americans and their handlers. We are regulated and Big Brothered to death these days and I for one and full up with it. The tyrants, supported by the timid pansy-people that make up the vast majority of the population these days, have stripped us of nearly all ability to exercise our rights. Of all the places on earth for this to have happened.

I totally agree. It's a shame that the term "sustainability" has been co-opted by the very same forces destroying life on earth. But being self sufficient is true sustainability. Ah to live life without a food bill, an energy bill or a mortgage! I had a chance to purchase a berm (earth sheltered) home that was similar in many respects to the earth ship. Alas I couldn't sell my wife on the idea.