Bookmark this post and set aside time to watch this entire End of Suburbia program about peak oil with people close to you. Pending or not, crisis or melarkey, what’s most important is to listen to and realize who is saying the enlightening if not disturbing things in this documentary. Read Matthew Simmons’ Twilight in the Desert
Click the bottom middle icon at the bottom right of the YouTube player to view at full screen. Better yet, get the End of Suburbia DVD
There are two segments. Watch both, at once or separately. Perhaps over dinner, and discuss. Then ask yourself and each other where you want to be when you need to be independent from the fossil fool powered grid, with no reliance upon interstate transit or need for mass market fuel and petroleum byproducts. Then come back and tell us.
Maybe we’ll meet you there. Must be near regionally sustainable community, have good southern exposure, decent access, lots of prime boondocking, and little government regulation.
That docu was so good, I have watched it a few times now. It’s great because they have people on both sides of the political aisle saying that peak oil is either here already or coming soon. This should be required viewing in school!
Bark. Yes, mmmm… and dandelion greens. With solar, hydro-electric power, and diesel equipment we run on the the biodiesel we make from Elk we render. Tanning the skins for those hard winters. If all goes well, we’ll be settled in and ready for the rich fleeing the cities when the shit truly hits the fan. They’ll have money and be looking to build green on remote land. And we’ll be waiting for them.
BTW: I just read an article about a guy in Germany who drove his BMW onto the median at a convention center, doused the car in gasoline ans set it aflame. He told police he couldn’t afford to drive it anymore with fuel at $9.40 / gallon.
There most certainly appears to be a fuel/energy concern in this country and others but I wouldn’t get too shrill too soon as it’s been this way in Europe for the past 30 years. Presently in Germany the price for a gallon of sweet petrol has been around $8. The Europeans however live in smaller countries with villages connected by rail and bus lines so they can get by well without the latest Hummer. Folks also ride scooters/mopeds and even – ready for this – walk to grocery stores.
OK, that aside, there’s only one problem with moving into the remote chigger and lyme infested woods, it costs even more for goods and services because of the travel required to meet those ends. If you lived in a city you would own less everything from cars to fossil fuel implements of construction including lawnmowers, backhoes, Bobcats, trucks and so on. Living in the country comes with a cost and unless you plan on eating bark you will need an energy source of some sort for heating and cooking.
I have a friend (you remember Gordon) who lives on 3.5 acres in the Santa Cruz mountains, his propane costs have tripled in the past two years. His closest neighbor has been suing him over property line disputes and the local beasts have consumed his dogs and cats. Would he live anywhere else, no way. But is it cheap? Yes and no. Yes because his land is paid off, no because of the lawsuits, fuel, the distances he must travel for work and groceries. But as you’ve done the cost of living math more than once this year I’m sure you’ll work it out in terms of business that will sustain the life-style.
Country living sounds cheap but I would bet dollar for dollar an apartment in St. Louis, MO, or Iowa, would have less impact on Earthly resources as you would be sharing common supply lines for food, fuel, and fun – you wouldn’t even need a car if you plan accordingly. A friend in Brooklyn hasn’t owned a car in 15 years so he does OK as a Broadway musician. If you go “into the mild” as I call it you’ll need to bring everything into your compound that you don’t grow yourself, but working the land can keep you young. My mother pulled up her lawn some years back and grows avocados, tomatoes, lavage, various herbs and spices and so on. She’s earned the ire of her neighbors save for one who has done the same. Stick it to the man and live in the suburbs without a lawn…
Seattle is a real nice town, as is Portland, OR, with Colorado as being nice as well, but it’s those Winters, those energy crises Winters, boy howdy these can pull the jack out of your wallet.
What you do however get by living in tickland is increased peace and quiet and that my friends is what the rich will be chasing in the future and there are more millionaires in this country than ever before buying up all that quiet. From my perspective, the less you need and or desire the more affordable things become, but we’ve all gotta live somewhere…
Mexico! Move to Mexico, El Jefe has his finger on the pulse, it’s cheaper and the people are friendly, oh, but let me guess, no lattes or indie film festivals…damn, almost perfect.
Keep me apprised and let’s keep this trek trekking you trekkies.
Eric
No, duh. You posted the YouTube link to the trailer so we just embedded it in your comment for viewing here. The movie in the original post above is the full actual 52-minute feature documentary. Thanks!
well, duh! now you have 2 trailers..omit if desired.. sorry
here’s the trailer from Youtube:
Also enjoyed your ‘tech thursday’ piece yesterday on travel… Cindi and I like to do those things too..
take care you three…