energy

Agriculture was the great leap forward for humanity, or so we’ve been told. but is it true? Toby Hemenway, in this compelling talk Redesigning Civilisation – with Permaculture, lays out a different picture and dispels the myths of agriculture as the great liberator from a life we are told was brutish and short.

At this point I feel compelled to assure you, this is not a casual criticism of agriculture or farmers. I have been one and I hold a deep respect for that culture, so if you are reading this article and have a background in rural activities, thank you for reading this far, and I welcome you to take this journey of discovery with me.

The essence of agriculture, which the origin of the word points to, is the cutting of trees to make way for open fields – to then grow large areas of a small number crops, or grass for animals. Given this suggestion the term sustainable agriculture, must surely be an oxymoron, as there are few if any areas of the earth where agriculture has been practiced for long periods of time, which do not show signs of degradation and loss of soil, water and human health. The origins of this open field approach can be traced back to the ‘fertile crescent‘ in the Middle East - where years of grain agriculture has turned the land to desert and the soil to salt-laden sand.

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Hi Everyone,

Energyshare is a renewable energy cooperative company thats been recently started in Auckland to enable people to have solar PV installed on their houses and for investors to make a fixed return on their money invested for making this happen.

The cooperative model is based on Energy cooperatives that are appearing in greater numbers in the UK and allows members to benefit not only via cheaper solar electricity prices but also share in any profits that the organisation makes over time. » Read more

Erica and Ernie Wisner are coming to NZ in February

The Wisner's are experts on building RM's aka Rocket Mass Heaters. RM's are possibly the most efficient and clean burning wood fired heaters in the world. They are constructed from cheap, local, recycled and natural materials, and can be built by anyone with basic skills and tools.

The Wisners have been involved in the construction of over 600 RM's in America and have got them up to "permit standard" on suspended wooden floors.

At the moment Grant Steven in Moerewa and Graeme North in Warkworth have committed themselves to holding RMH workshops but the Wisne's are stopping in NZ on their way to Australia and have said they could come back to NZ after they have finished their Australian Tour.

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Ever since United States oil production peaked in the 1970s there has been debate about the ability of North America to become self reliant by producing all its own oil. Fast forward forty years and this conversation is still taking place and the U.S. is still no closer to oil independence. So what about New Zealand? Could we possibly provide for our own oil needs in the coming years?

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