Off Grid Analysis

Off the grid defined as not requiring utilities, such as electricity, water, sewer, natural gas, heat, insurance, cars and other services. To truly live off the grid means to have a home that operates without the assistance of any public services. However, to achieve this independence, is to

Using renewable energy on the grid avoids most, if not all, of the disadvantages of being off grid. The utility is like a big, 100% efficient battery that can absorb all your surplus energy. In addition, you can lean on it as hard as you want to for as much additional electricity as you might need. If you can’t afford a renewable-electric system large enough to supply all your needs, you can install whatever portion you can afford. When the grid uses fossil fuels, at least it uses them more efficiently, and with less noise and pollution than a home generator.

In his book, Living Off the Grid:A Simple Guide to Creating and Maintaining a Self-Reliant Supply of Energy, Water, Shelter and More (2008) Dave Black lists the following eight reasons many people are choosing to go off grid in America today: There is no grid available, to minimize environmental impact of the grid and leave a smaller carbon footprint, to avoid utility costs, saving money by lowering bills, emergency insurance, entertainment of an intelligent mind, reducing use of fossil fuels, and public image. He goes on to explain that whatever reason or reasons a person may choose to go off grid there is a long list of realities that one must face in relation to such an undertaking. Ability, location, shelter, laws, resources needed,

Off The Grid Technology has changed the course of history. In fact, technology has done so much for Mankind like communication, health, and much more. The world has adapted and has gotten used to technology so much mankind now rely on it. St. John Mandel realized this and thought what if there was a world that went dark. St. John Mandel’s book (Station Eleven) grabs the readers attention by putting the reader in the mindset of having no technology, a deadly virus killing off people and what it would be like if the whole world went off the grid.

Darice Pollard September 17, 2015 English Composition II Professor Jill Allen Conserving Our Community If you examine a vehicle, you may agree that it is greater than the sum its parts. Individually, the engine, battery, tires, steering wheel, and steel body can’t haul a teen to school or an associate to work like they can when they are all working together as a cohesive unit. Just like any vehicle, the common wealth of a community is greater than the needs of the individuals that make up the community. When the individuals of a community entangle themselves in a web of wants and selfish desires, they tend to loose sight of the well being of the people who surround them, the environment in which they thrive off of, and, in the long-run, themselves. In conjunction, author Scott Russell Sanders’ article titled “Defending Our Common Wealth” highlights these points as well as emphasizes creating a new vision of wealth, encouraging community over consumption and consumerism to his audience.

Ray Bradbury is foreshadowing another society similar to the American society we have, just on Mars. The American society we have today is one in which we value materials in a way that has never been the case in previous society. By stating, “Pick a city, son. Anyone of the

As a nation, we have to look at what the future would be for our children, their children and the generations ahead. We can start with participating in recycle programs, investing in clean energy and ways to reduce destruction of our forests." Without Americans constant need to consume, the environment would have plenty of time to replenish the resources it provide us." "NIEHS Environmental Coloring Book." National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, an official government website for Kids. 02 Apr. 2009 .

In “The Abundant Community,” both authors John McKnight and Peter Block discuss their ideas on “the citizen way” of life, and the downfalls of “the consumer way,” and how to avoid them. For instance, the authors believe in the goodness that is “the citizen way,” and that if we learned to trust in our neighbors we could build a strong community that can provide security. As well as, obtaining a better income by talking to people in one’s community about future employment. However, if we continue to depend on “the consumer way” we as a community will live an unsatisfied and disconnected life. We are so advanced in technology that we are able to obtain almost anything from the comfort of our own homes, which limits social interaction. Moreover,

The essay titled “Simplicity and Sanity” within the novel A Conservationist Manifesto, by Scott Sanders, describes the author’s everyday life in regard to the simplifications he has made in order to reduce his ecological footprint. Some of these are unattainable for someone in a financial situation such as myself – a college student who does not receive money from their parents every week. I currently live with my fiancé, Isaiah, in San Diego, California, which is known for having an extremely high cost of living. Sanders does touch upon this by addressing his understanding that not everyone has the privilege or ability to make such drastic changes since those with lower income have different options available. However, there are some simplifications I have already made that Sanders has and suggests. On page 178, he explains that he and his wife Ruth adapt to seasonal changes by layering up clothes in the winter and only resorting to using the air-conditioner on the most hottest of days. Isaiah and I rarely use the air-conditioner unless it reaches triple digits, which does occasionally occur in the summer. We have also never had the need to use the heater or anything of the sort

With limited to no government regulations ,we learn to become self-reliant and not to depend on the government to solve the communities issues.

After finishing “The Abundant Community,” I was relieved that I no longer needed to read this long winded book that could have been summarized into a pamphlet. Do not get me wrong, I like some of the ideas that were presented such as; trust, friendship, and communal pride. However, on the other side of the coin there is the consumer way of life were we are in debt, slaves to the system, and are lazy. I did not like how the authors had a very bias way of looking at the two different ways of life. Especially since I lean towards the consumer way, but I do try and balance the two.

In my episode of Off The Grid I’m talking with one of my friends Sam Kovalyov from Haven for Humanity, his specific Haven for Humanity location being in the Catskills in New York the and he is giving me a tour of where he and many other people live. Haven for Humanity is a non-profit organization that is helping to work on opening communities centers all around the world. Haven for Humanity in the Catskills has been the first sight to open up. I learned about what life was like before making the move to the Community. Television and Video Games being a stronghold and distraction from learning about all of what life has to offer and addiction to those media sources which can become problematic for some. While talking to him I learned that he

Imagine for a moment that gas was five dollars more a gallon, putting the cost per gallon over eight dollars. How much less would each person use? What if it cost 10 times as much to turn on a light switch, would you change your habits and only use what you had to? The reality of what we are faced with here is not a change that everyone doesn’t want to make; it is more of an unwillingness to lose the comforts of our current unsustainable society.

SS 3150 Research Paper Self-Sustainable Living: Why? Nicholas Lawrence Abstract What drives individuals to seek out a self-sustained lifestyle, free from the electricity grid? This study aim to determine the reasons individuals and, in some cases, communities strive to be self-sustainable and free themselves from the electricity grid. Data will be collected form

We have become too content to the way we live and a danger to the lifestyle is met with resistance and hostility. The people of our current society over time have created a world where time and money has become a first priority and saving Earth has been placed in last. We as people have also begun to lose the sense of hearing one another in time of need. People have begun to relinquish the connection between ourselves. Instead of strengthening bonds of alliance to achieve a common goal that will benefit us