Featured Discussions - Blacksciencefictionsociety2024-03-29T09:49:24Zhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/groups/green-living/forum/feed/featuredTiny House for Under $1,000. What do you think.https://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/groups/green-living/forum/tiny-house-for-under-1-000-what-do-you-think2017-04-17T13:36:40.000Z2017-04-17T13:36:40.000ZAdministrator: Jarvis Sheffieldhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/members/JarvisSheffieldMEd<div><p><span class="font-size-5">This looks really cool. A living structure for less than $1000</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-5">I think these would be great in turns of helping with the homeless. </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">At the very least I would like one of these for a workroom. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}1239997238,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_self"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}1239997238,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="333" class="align-full" /></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}1239997291,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_self"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}1239997291,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="333" class="align-full" /></a></span></p>
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<p>From</p>
<p><a href="http://www.goodshomedesign.com/tiny-house-for-under-1000/2/">http://www.goodshomedesign.com/tiny-house-for-under-1000/2/</a></p>
</div>Turtle Island homeshttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/groups/green-living/forum/turtle-island-homes2016-07-05T14:58:00.000Z2016-07-05T14:58:00.000ZArnold L. Johnsonhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/members/ArnoldLJohnson<div><p>The idea that some of us were here before revised history thrills me. Been looking at ancient dwellings that were not so nomadic and modern renditions of them. I know we don't think in terms of tribes today and the notion of housing an extended family under one roof is not common. But with more modular expandable forms of house units adaptability is possible. </p><p></p><p>Here I use Quonset Hut units and cargo container units but I know conventional materials can produce the forms sometimes cheaper or greener. I like using curved surfaces, that is missing homes, The clear-span arch really says "open concept" and the shed speaks economy in more private area functions. We have had "form follows function as a quoted maxim for centuries. Many of us don't get a chance to build from scratch. We are used to adapting, renovating and repurposing. My approach is like that of the house is a tent and your life fits inside. So the structural form is open for adapting.</p><p></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}1239992158,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_self"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}1239992158,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="568" class="align-left" height="430"/></a> Because they are simple they can be scaled from tiny house to larger house as long as the curb appeal isn't bent too far. Add your greenhouse, chicken pens, goats, off-grid technology......I think the curved form embraces the earth and sky not pointing, challenging the heavens.</p></div>A Group for Renewable Energy in the Las Vegas Area!https://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/groups/green-living/forum/a-group-for-renewable-energy-in-the-las-vegas-area-12016-02-23T23:23:22.000Z2016-02-23T23:23:22.000ZCharles Grimmetthttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/members/CharlesGrimmett<div><p><span class="font-size-4">A Plus Eco-Habitats is a non-profit 501c (3) organization located in Henderson, NV. Please check them out:</span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-4"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.eco-habitatsnv.org/">http://www.eco-habitatsnv.org/</a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p><span class="font-size-4">When you read about the board members, I'm the retired teacher mentioned. </span></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-4">Charles Grimmett</span></p><p></p></div>Doomsday Preppers 2012https://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/groups/green-living/forum/doomsday-preppers-20122016-01-20T02:33:08.000Z2016-01-20T02:33:08.000ZAdministrator: Jarvis Sheffieldhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/members/JarvisSheffieldMEd<div><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mxbAj3JjMZg?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
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<p>These people may be a little nutzo but some of their ideas can be useful.</p>
</div>Plants That You Can Regrow From Your Kitchen Scrapshttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/groups/green-living/forum/2010448-Topic-5851722016-01-19T23:26:48.000Z2016-01-19T23:26:48.000ZAdministrator: Jarvis Sheffieldhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/members/JarvisSheffieldMEd<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}1239987713,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_self"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}1239987713,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="750" class="align-full" /></a></p>
</div>FREE WEBINAR: WRITE A MOVIE AND MAKE IT YOURSELFhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/groups/green-living/forum/free-webinar-write-a-movie-and-make-it-yourself2016-01-19T23:20:58.000Z2016-01-19T23:20:58.000ZAdministrator: Jarvis Sheffieldhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/members/JarvisSheffieldMEd<div><p><span><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}1239987656,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_self"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}1239987656,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="493" class="align-full" /></a></span></p>
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<p><span>FREE webinar 9p ET/6p PT Friday, 1/22: Writers, no matter how you feel about the Oscar controversy, one thing is certain: the best way to celebrate stories you want to see IS TO WRITE A MOVIE AND MAKE IT YOURSELF. Even if you have little or no screenwriting/filmmaking experience, you can take steps today to start making the short film that can give you access to the movie world you want to become a part of. A short film can serve as "proof of concept," a trailer, a web pilot,</span><span class="text_exposed_show"> or a film festival entry that can open doors much faster than waiting and complaining--or, better yet, help you kick those doors down! Let's build a new door! Hollywood is undergoing a filmmaking revolution, and you should be a part of it. In this 90-minute webinar, hubby <a class="profileLink" href="https://www.facebook.com/steven.barnes.7127">Steven Barnes</a> and I will walk you through the steps we took to make the short films "Danger Word" and my short "Lost" (which I shot solo on my iPhone). I am a novelist who learned screenwriting, and you can too! I am a technophobe who learned how to edit video, and so can you--or, if not, you probably have a friend or family member who can! From the script to the shoot to editing to YouTube, we will help you lay the foundation for the filmmaker you can be tomorrow. This FREE webinar is Friday at 9p ET/6p PT: CLICK THIS LINK to sign up today and reserve your space:<a href="http://www.hollywoodrevolutionwebinar.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.hollywoodrevolutionwebinar.com</a></span></p>
</div>Village Dedicated In North Nashville To Micro Homeshttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/groups/green-living/forum/village-dedicated-in-north-nashville-to-micro-homes2016-01-16T21:45:45.000Z2016-01-16T21:45:45.000ZAdministrator: Jarvis Sheffieldhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/members/JarvisSheffieldMEd<div><p><span>Village Dedicated In North Nashville To Micro Homes</span></p>
<p><span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9mqQLKcxkY">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9mqQLKcxkY</a></span></p>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-9mqQLKcxkY?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe>
</div>Eco Capsule - home of the futurehttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/groups/green-living/forum/eco-capsule-home-of-the-future2015-10-03T14:02:21.000Z2015-10-03T14:02:21.000ZAdministrator: Jarvis Sheffieldhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/members/JarvisSheffieldMEd<div><p><iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VBzuY7Lh8BE?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
</div>GMO INFO - YOU DECIDE YES OR NO.https://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/groups/green-living/forum/gmo-a-go-go-truth-about-gmos-explained-in-new-animated-cartoon2015-08-10T19:15:26.000Z2015-08-10T19:15:26.000ZAdministrator: Jarvis Sheffieldhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/members/JarvisSheffieldMEd<div><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KGqQV6ObFCQ?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
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<p>Very Interesting....</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M_ztZGbLEJ0?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
</div>POKE/POLK SALADhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/groups/green-living/forum/poke-polk-salad2015-07-16T02:33:50.000Z2015-07-16T02:33:50.000ZAdministrator: Jarvis Sheffieldhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/members/JarvisSheffieldMEd<div><p>POKE/POLK SALAD<br />
Please pay attention to how to prepare!</p>
<p>Please pay attention to how to prepare so you don't poison yourself!<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GJKl0cJb30k?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0ojpWiIR7zQ?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
</div>TINY HOMES BUILT AS SOLUTION FOR HOMELESSNESS.https://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/groups/green-living/forum/tiny-homes-built-as-solution-for-homelessness2015-01-17T17:26:34.000Z2015-01-17T17:26:34.000ZAdministrator: Jarvis Sheffieldhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/members/JarvisSheffieldMEd<div><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/bHPMDF-ByDc?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
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<p>Happening NOW: An Occupy group in Madison, Wisconsin just cut the ribbon to open a new community of tiny houses for the homeless. The community includes 9 tiny<span class="text_exposed_show"> homes, a resource center, and a gardening space. No one should have to be homeless in the world's richest country. Pass this along if your city should follow Occupy Madison's inspiring example! Like our page <a class="profileLink" href="https://www.facebook.com/usauncut">US Uncut</a>!</span></p>
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<p><a class="profileLink" href="https://www.facebook.com/OMBuild">OM Build</a> was only made possible by dedicated volunteers and generous donors from around the country. If you want to learn more and possibly contribute, please visit Occupy Madison's website: <a href="http://occupymadisoninc.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://occupymadisoninc.com/</a></p>
<p>Story: <a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F1uxT25m&h=5AQFMhHUA&enc=AZODrh682t4ub3MjY-yyBh2tGPEL2MdS_nlcPUMtsG6d5ysX7nORQx3Slu4DRZ2IWOX5G8Kjn5oeye8pytU1syDS1aZVsH1xH3PigW0cqmU0aDggEBAbdDp8nZl87FiG1wizJ8hnQOTxaur-GdhXkBFka7pl8X4T6dJ29GFabwjYNQ&s=1" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://bit.ly/1uxT25m</a><br />
Photo: Architect Ed Kuharski</p>
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</div>Biosphere 2: An American Space Odyssey | Retro Report | The New York Timeshttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/groups/green-living/forum/biosphere-2-an-american-space-odyssey-retro-report-the-new-york-t2014-12-18T17:17:19.000Z2014-12-18T17:17:19.000ZAdministrator: Jarvis Sheffieldhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/members/JarvisSheffieldMEd<div><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/oUJGR6qNVzA?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
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<p><span>With dreams of colonizing space, eight people sealed themselves in a glass biosphere in 1991. But they eventually "suffocated, starved and went mad."</span><br />
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<span>Read the story here: </span><a href="http://nyti.ms/114EsnF" target="_blank" title="http://nyti.ms/114EsnF" rel="nofollow" dir="ltr" class="yt-uix-redirect-link">http://nyti.ms/114EsnF</a></p>
</div>Hubble's Diverse Universehttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/groups/green-living/forum/hubble-s-diverse-universe2014-12-18T17:48:53.000Z2014-12-18T17:48:53.000ZAdministrator: Jarvis Sheffieldhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/members/JarvisSheffieldMEd<div><iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/gKin4JSHwfI?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe>
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<p><span>Trailer for Hubble's Diverse Universe, a documentary focused on the impact of the Hubble Space Telescope and NASA on the careers of individual astronomers. The trailer features Eric Wilcots, Dara Norman, Jarita Holbrook, and Kevin McLin.</span></p>
<a href="https://www.createspace.com/410482?ref=1147694&utm_id=6026&fb_action_ids=10204344834918611&fb_action_types=og.likes">https://www.createspace.com/410482?ref=1147694&utm_id=6026&fb_action_ids=10204344834918611&fb_action_types=og.likes</a>
</div>Chris Hadfield's Space Kitchenhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/groups/green-living/forum/astronaut-food-how-do-they-do-it2014-12-18T17:22:05.000Z2014-12-18T17:22:05.000ZAdministrator: Jarvis Sheffieldhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/members/JarvisSheffieldMEd<div><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/AZx0RIV0wss?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
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<p><span>Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield shows us his "kitchen" in space and prepares a 0-g treat. Free-floating food-eating ensues, complete with a tumbling tortilla. If this whets your appetite to learn more about eating in space, check out: </span><a href="http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/astronauts/living-eating.asp" target="_blank" title="http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/astronauts/living-eating.asp" rel="nofollow" dir="ltr" class="yt-uix-redirect-link">http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/astronau...</a><span> and visit our Living in Space Exhibition: </span><a href="http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/exhibitions/living.asp" target="_blank" title="http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/exhibitions/living.asp" rel="nofollow" dir="ltr" class="yt-uix-redirect-link">http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/exhibiti...</a></p>
</div>DIY: Everything You Need to Know to Build a Simple Backyard Aquaponics Systemhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/groups/green-living/forum/diy-everything-you-need-to-know-to-build-a-simple-backyard-aquapo2014-09-18T13:47:02.000Z2014-09-18T13:47:02.000ZAdministrator: Jarvis Sheffieldhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/members/JarvisSheffieldMEd<div><p>DIY: Everything You Need to Know to Build a Simple Backyard Aquaponics System</p>
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<p id="BlogDate">Posted By <u>Brian Barth</u> On September 17, 2014 @ 12:40 pm </p>
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<p><img src="http://inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2014/08/Backyard-Aquaponics-537x348.jpg" alt="aquaponics, backyard aquaponics, fish farming, hydroponics, DIY, how to, Kijani grows" width="537" height="348" class="alignright size-large wp-image-688761" /></p>
<p><a href="http://inhabitat.com/aquasprouts-lets-you-turn-your-kitchen-counter-into-a-stylish-aquaponic-garden/" rel="external">Aquaponics</a> <sup>[1]</sup> = aquaculture (the raising of edible fish) + hydroponics (growing vegetables and herbs without soil). You may have seen examples of <a href="http://inhabitat.com/innovative-biocellar-recycles-abandoned-housing-into-centers-for-urban-farming-in-cleveland/" rel="external">this revolutionary way of growing food</a> <sup>[2]</sup> in some of the projects <a href="http://inhabitat.com/the-aquadesigner-living-fountain-provides-a-beautiful-way-to-grow-food-year-round/" rel="external">featured on Inhabitat</a> <sup>[3]</sup>. Per square foot, it’s the most productive form of agriculture on the planet, and is a perfect example of a living machine: a self-sufficient assembly of plants and animals that functions like an <a href="http://inhabitat.com/kijani-grows-will-bring-small-internet-connected-aquaponics-gardens-to-schools/" rel="external">ecosystem</a> <sup>[4]</sup>, producing food for people without creating waste products or pollution.</p>
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<p><a href="http://inhabitat.com/diy-everything-you-need-to-know-to-build-a-simple-backyard-aquaponics-system/portable-fish-farm-at-growing-power/" rel="external"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-675789" src="http://inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2014/07/portable-fish-farm-at-growing-power-537x402.jpg" alt="" width="537" height="402" /></a> <sup>[5]</sup></p>
<p>If you’re inspired to try out an <a href="http://aquaponicgardening.theaquaponicsource.com/" rel="external">aquaponic system</a> <sup>[6]</sup> instead of a vegetable garden in your backyard this summer, this guide will serve as an overview, giving you all the information necessary to get started. It’s a bit more involved than a typical vegetable garden, but anyone with a little mechanical ingenuity and determination can make it happen. If you feel timid, we suggest starting small to refine your technique before scaling up to a system that can feed the family (if not the neighborhood).</p>
<p><a href="http://inhabitat.com/the-aquadesigner-living-fountain-provides-a-beautiful-way-to-grow-food-year-round/" rel="external">Related: The AquaDesigner Living Fountain Provides a Beautiful Way to Grow Food at Home Year-Round</a> <sup>[3]</sup></p>
<h3>Basic Components</h3>
<p>Every aquaponic system will include the components listed below. There are many options to add on to these and customize the system, depending on your particular circumstances and goals. For example, most people in cold climates will opt to build their <a href="http://inhabitat.com/farmedhere-the-nations-largest-indoor-organic-farm-now-growing-in-chicago/" rel="external">aquaponics system</a> <sup>[7]</sup> in a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/damien-chivialles-urban-farming-units-transform-old-shipping-containers-into-greenhouses-for-organic-produce/" rel="external">greenhouse</a> <sup>[8]</sup> to keep it going year-round.</p>
<p><a href="http://inhabitat.com/diy-everything-you-need-to-know-to-build-a-simple-backyard-aquaponics-system/bathtub-aquaponics/" rel="external"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-675786" src="http://inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2014/07/Bathtub-Aquaponics-537x402.jpg" alt="" width="537" height="402" /></a> <sup>[9]</sup></p>
<p><em>Image via <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cicada/4862277466/" rel="external">Milkwood, on Flickr Creative Commons</a> <sup>[10]</sup></em></p>
<h3>Tank</h3>
<p>In theory, a well-tuned aquaponics system can support one pound of fish per gallon of water. When starting out, however, it’s better to plan on stocking one fish for every 10 gallons of water to make sure the system doesn’t fall out of balance (plus the fish will have more space in which to swim).</p>
<p>Most do-it-yourselfers start with either a 55-gallon barrel or a 225-gallon square bin; two standard sizes of food-grade tanks that are fairly easy to come by recycled from the food industry. Just make sure they were used to hold benign things like soy sauce, rather than something toxic that might have left a residue. Aboveground vinyl swimming pools are the top DIY choice for larger tanks.</p>
<p><a href="http://inhabitat.com/diy-everything-you-need-to-know-to-build-a-simple-backyard-aquaponics-system/portable-fish-farm-at-growing-power/" rel="external"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-675789" src="http://inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2014/07/portable-fish-farm-at-growing-power-537x402.jpg" alt="" width="537" height="402" /></a> <sup>[5]</sup></p>
<p><em>Image via <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b5/Portable_fish_farm_at_growing_power.jpg" rel="external">Wikimedia Creative Commons</a> <sup>[11]</sup></em></p>
<h3>Grow Bed</h3>
<p>Your vegetables will need some type of water-resistant container to house the soilless medium that they’ll be grown in. There are many products available for this purpose, but there are just as many DIY approaches. The simplest route is to build shallow wooden boxes (6 to 10 inches deep), just like ordinary raised beds for vegetables, and line them with pond liner.</p>
<p>Each bed is then filled with an inert growing medium, such as perlite (which is super light, allowing the beds to be elevated off the ground) or fine gravel from your local landscape supplier (inexpensive, but heavy). Coco coir is the fanciest growing medium available and is often used by professionals for its ability to retain air and moisture simultaneously. A mixture of equal parts of all three products is actually a great formula to try.</p>
<p>You can plan to ferti-gate a growing area up to 10 times the surface are of your fish tank.</p>
<p><a href="http://inhabitat.com/diy-everything-you-need-to-know-to-build-a-simple-backyard-aquaponics-system/grow-bed/" rel="external"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-675791" src="http://inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2014/07/Grow-Bed-537x358.jpg" alt="" width="537" height="358" /></a> <sup>[12]</sup></p>
<h3>Pumps and Hardware</h3>
<p>The miracle of aquaponics is that the plants (along with their growing medium) filter out the waste products from the fish tank, allowing them to thrive without ever adding fresh water, while the nutrients in the wastewater are the perfect fertilizer for most herbs and vegetables. Thus, a pump is needed to circulate the water between the two components and to make the self-sustaining system go round. If you choose to install a solar-powered pump, your aquaponics system will be almost entirely self-sufficient.</p>
<p>Pumps and piping are where aquaponics can get a little tricky; if you don’t have basic plumbing and electrical skills, find a friend that does to save on the amount of trial and error you subject yourself to. The pump can either collect the water that drains from the grow beds and put it back in the tank (if the grow beds are below the tank), or it can be placed in the bottom of the tank and used to spread the water over the surface of the grow beds (if they are elevated above the level of the tank).</p>
<p>The beds themselves need a network of PVC pipes on the surface to distribute the water from the fish tank. Drill ¼-inch holes every 6 inches in the pipe and structure the beds with several parallel pipes, each about 12 inches apart. You can plant the a seedling at each of the little holes in the PVC pipe.</p>
<p>There is one more absolutely critical piece of hardware to make an aquaponics system work: you need an aerator to provide sufficient oxygen for the fish.</p>
<p><a href="http://inhabitat.com/back-to-the-roots-aquaponics-kit-is-a-self-cleaning-fish-tank-that-grows-veggies/" rel="external">Related: Back to the Roots’ Aquaponics Kit is a Self-Cleaning Fish Tank that Grows Veggies</a> <sup>[13]</sup></p>
<p><a href="http://inhabitat.com/diy-everything-you-need-to-know-to-build-a-simple-backyard-aquaponics-system/fish-3/" rel="external"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-675788" src="http://inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2014/07/FISH-537x371.jpg" alt="" width="537" height="371" /></a> <sup>[14]</sup></p>
<h3><strong>The Fish</strong></h3>
<p><a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/bronx-couple-set-up-a-sustainable-urban-fish-farm-in-recycling-bins/" rel="external">Tilapia</a> <sup>[15]</sup> are by far the most common species used in small scale aquaculture systems. They’re a tropical species, however, and need the water temperature to stay between 70 and 90 degrees to stay healthy and grow quickly. They’re used for their tolerance of high stocking densities and less-than-perfect water conditions, plus they have a phenomenal growth rate, reaching a harvestable size of one pound in 6 to 8 months. Thus in a temperate climate, it is possible to stock the tank with fingerlings in May and harvest the ‘crop’ in October.</p>
<p>Catfish are also very amenable to high-density recirculating aquaculture systems and have no problem overwintering in all but the coldest climates, though they only put on growth when the water is warm. Yellow perch are the third most common species used in aquaponics systems, and have the advantage of being able to put on growth in cooler waters.</p>
<p><a href="http://inhabitat.com/diy-everything-you-need-to-know-to-build-a-simple-backyard-aquaponics-system/lettuces/" rel="external"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-675792" src="http://inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2014/07/Lettuces-537x358.jpg" alt="" width="537" height="358" /></a> <sup>[16]</sup></p>
<h3><strong>The Plants</strong></h3>
<p>Some food plants are easier to grow in an aquaponics system than others. Basically, anything that is harvested as a leaf—lettuce, kale, arugula, spinach, basil, dill, etc.—responds very well to the nutrients found in fish water and can usually be grown without added nutritional supplements. It is also possible to cultivate species grown for their fruit, such as blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, etc., as well as vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchini, but these typically require supplemental fertilizers, which are available from <a href="http://www.mayhillpress.com/link.html" rel="external">hydroponic suppliers</a> <sup>[17]</sup>.</p>
<h3>Putting a System Together</h3>
<p>You will need a flat, sunny space to set up your aquaponics system. If you’re not building it inside a greenhouse, you’ll want to get everything together in early spring, so you can stock the fish as soon as the water temperature hits 70 degrees. Stock the fingerlings first and start seedlings in flats of potting soil at the same time. By the time the seedlings are big enough to transplant, the fish should be producing enough waste to support the growth in the grow beds. Incidentally, the vegetables themselves have very little to do with cleaning the water for the fish—this actually occurs in the growing medium, so the water needs to circulate through the grow beds for the sake of the fish, whether there are plants growing in them or not.</p>
<p><a href="http://inhabitat.com/interview-eric-mandu-on-turning-aquaponic-gardens-into-an-internet-connected-resource/" rel="external">Related: INTERVIEW: Eric Maundu on Turning Aquaponic Gardens into an Internet Connected Resource</a> <sup>[18]</sup></p>
<p><strong> <a href="http://inhabitat.com/diy-everything-you-need-to-know-to-build-a-simple-backyard-aquaponics-system/aquaponic-lettuce/" rel="external"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-672046" src="http://inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2014/07/aquaponic-lettuce-537x436.jpg" alt="aquaponics, living machine, home food production, tilapia, closed loop system, self-sustaining, organic food, backyard gardening" width="537" height="436" /></a> <sup>[19]</sup></strong></p>
<h3>Management and Fine-Tuning</h3>
<p>The aerator needs to run 24/7 to provide oxygen to the fish. The pump that moves water from the tank to the grow beds should be on a timer that turns it on for short periods of time, several times a day. You’ll have to experiment with the frequency and length of watering: the goal is to run it as much as possible to keep the water clean for the fish, but you’ll have to limit it to prevent the growing medium from remaining excessively wet.</p>
<p>The fish are typically fed as much food as they can consume in 20 minutes three times per day (click <a href="http://www.theaquaponicstore.com/AquaOrganic-Fish-Feed-10-Pounds-p/affab002.htm" rel="external">here</a> <sup>[20]</sup> for one of the only suppliers in the country of organic fish food). There are automatic feeders and many other optional components that can streamline and automate the system, which can make the feeding process a lot easier. The key is to start small and simple and to not push the system too hard by overstocking the fish. Overfeeding the fish is the easiest mistake to make and will quickly result in degraded water conditions. Once you have a simple system and an established routine that works for you, build on your success by expanding your system.</p>
<p><em>Images via <a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/" rel="external">Shutterstock</a> <sup>[21]</sup>, except where credited. Lead image via <a href="http://www.kijanigrows.com/" rel="external">Kijani Grows</a> <sup>[22]</sup>, makers of home aquaponics systems</em></p>
<p></p>
<p><em>FROM: <a href="http://inhabitat.com/diy-everything-you-need-to-know-to-build-a-simple-backyard-aquaponics-system/portable-fish-farm-at-growing-power/">http://inhabitat.com/diy-everything-you-need-to-know-to-build-a-simple-backyard-aquaponics-system/portable-fish-farm-at-growing-power/</a></em></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>Natural Pesticide: To Kill or Not To Killhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/groups/green-living/forum/natural-pesticide-to-kill-or-not-to-kill2014-09-17T18:11:25.000Z2014-09-17T18:11:25.000ZAdministrator: Jarvis Sheffieldhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/members/JarvisSheffieldMEd<div><div class="Title">
<h2>Natural Pesticide: To Kill or Not To Kill</h2>
</div>
<p class="Date">3/9/2009 5:16:37 PM</p>
<p class="Byline">By <a title="Lacy Razor " href="http://grit.com/bios/Lacy-Razor.aspx"><font size="2" face="Arial">Lacy Razor</font> </a></p>
<p id="browserv2_0_blogitemleftcolumn_0_pTags" class="Tags"></p>
<div class="Body">
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<p><font face="Arial" size="2"><img title="Caterpillar" alt="Caterpillar" src="http://www.grit.com/~/media/Images/GRT/Editorial/Blogs/Lacy/Natural%20Pesticide%20To%20Kill%20or%20Not%20To%20Kill/caterpillar.jpg" border="0" /></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="2">Yep. I thought that title might get ya. That’s right, this entire post is about organic pesticides and the moral debate involved in using them (a.k.a. killing). It’s also got some charming garden pictures. How about that for confusing?</font></p>
<p align="center"><font face="Arial" size="2"><img title="Tomatoes" alt="Tomatoes" src="http://www.grit.com/~/media/Images/GRT/Editorial/Blogs/Lacy/Natural%20Pesticide%20To%20Kill%20or%20Not%20To%20Kill/tomatoes.jpg" border="0" /></font></p>
<p></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="2">Before I give you the recipe and directions on making your own organic pesticides, know that they are not selective in their killing. So, by using them even the beneficial bugs die or vacate. This is actually a factor that I appreciate because it prevents me from going wild spraying my plants “just because.” I am forced to wait until I can’t find any beneficial insects/arachnids to combat the harmful insects. Also, when the only ones I find are Black Widows and… well… as technically beneficial as they might be: I want them dead. They may not linger on my innocent tomatoes and plot their evil spidery schemes. Not in my garden.</font></p>
<p></p>
<p align="center"><font face="Arial" size="2"><img title="Tomato" alt="Tomato" src="http://www.grit.com/~/media/Images/GRT/Editorial/Blogs/Lacy/Natural%20Pesticide%20To%20Kill%20or%20Not%20To%20Kill/tomato.jpg" border="0" /></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="2">Let’s just take a moment to recognize the Technical Knock Out (TKO) that is in the picture above. Sigh. Check out the blush on that heirloom’s cheek, would ya? If that doesn’t make you want to plant a garden — only a glance at the prices in the produce section of the supermarket will.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="2">Before mixing up the magic organic pesticide, be sure that you have surrounded your plant-babies with nature’s first defense: marigolds, orange peels, cedar chips, mint, geraniums, sage, and rosemary. These are <a title="blocked::http://www.ghorganics.com/page9.html" href="http://www.ghorganics.com/page9.html" target="_blank">natural pesticides</a> which discourage those unwanted guests from lingering in your garden patch (to name a few: tomato hornworms, Japanese beetles, aphids, and others). Only, I mean ONLY, if these have failed to protect your food source may we resort to the use of sprays.</font></p>
<p></p>
<p align="center"><font face="Arial" size="2"><img title="Natural pesticide ingredients" alt="Natural pesticide ingredients" src="http://www.grit.com/~/media/Images/GRT/Editorial/Blogs/Lacy/Natural%20Pesticide%20To%20Kill%20or%20Not%20To%20Kill/ingredients1.jpg" border="0" /></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="2">You will need an old sprayer, 4 Tbsp hot sauce, 1 head of fresh garlic, 1 tsp liquid dish soap, 2 Tbsp vegetable oil, and 4 cups water.</font></p>
<p></p>
<p align="center"><font face="Arial" size="2"><img title="Garlic, hot sauce and oil" alt="Garlic, hot sauce and oil" src="http://www.grit.com/~/media/Images/GRT/Editorial/Blogs/Lacy/Natural%20Pesticide%20To%20Kill%20or%20Not%20To%20Kill/bowl.jpg" border="0" /></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="2">Chop the garlic and pour the oil and hot sauce over top. Mix, cover, and let sit overnight. Strain out the garlic, then mix with water and add dish soap.</font></p>
<p align="center"><font face="Arial" size="2"><img title="Natural pesticide in spray bottle" alt="Natural pesticide in spray bottle" src="http://www.grit.com/~/media/Images/GRT/Editorial/Blogs/Lacy/Natural%20Pesticide%20To%20Kill%20or%20Not%20To%20Kill/in-the-spray-bottle.jpg" border="0" /></font></p>
<p></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="2">Fill up your sprayer and use sparingly.</font></p>
<p></p>
<p align="center"><font face="Arial" size="2"><img title="Plat sprayed with natural pesticide" alt="Plat sprayed with natural pesticide" src="http://www.grit.com/~/media/Images/GRT/Editorial/Blogs/Lacy/Natural%20Pesticide%20To%20Kill%20or%20Not%20To%20Kill/on-the-plant.jpg" border="0" /></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="2">If you would like to find other homemade bug remedies, then please visit <a title="blocked::http://www.repairspot.com/bugremedies.html" href="http://www.repairspot.com/bugremedies.html" target="_blank">this site</a> for some great ideas.  Comment on this post and enter to win a packet of sweet basil and a $10 gift certificate to <a title="blocked::http://www.seedsofchange.com/garden_center/product_details.asp?item_no=S13386&UID=2009030819162529" href="http://www.seedsofchange.com/garden_center/product_details.asp?item_no=S13386&UID=2009030819162529" target="_blank">Seeds of Change</a> -- my favorite seed company of all time because... well, they just totally rock like KISS.</font></p>
</div>
<div><a title="blocked::http://www.razorfamilyfarms.com/" href="http://www.razorfamilyfarms.com/" target="_blank"><font face="Arial" size="2">http://www.razorfamilyfarms.com</font></a></div>
</div>
<p><span><br />
<br />
Read more: <a href="http://www.grit.com/farm-and-garden/natural-pesticide.aspx#ixzz3Db7o0Fdc">http://www.grit.com/farm-and-garden/natural-pesticide.aspx#ixzz3Db7o0Fdc</a></span></p>
</div>Growing food from kitchen wasteGrowing food from kitchen wastehttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/groups/green-living/forum/growing-food-from-kitchen-wastegrowing-food-from-kitchen-waste2014-07-10T18:53:51.000Z2014-07-10T18:53:51.000ZAdministrator: Jarvis Sheffieldhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/members/JarvisSheffieldMEd<div><p><object width="420" height="315" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="false" ></param>
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</div>How to Grow A Lemon Tree From A Seed.https://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/groups/green-living/forum/how-to-grow-a-lemon-tree-from-a-seed2014-07-10T18:44:30.000Z2014-07-10T18:44:30.000ZAdministrator: Jarvis Sheffieldhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/members/JarvisSheffieldMEd<div><p><object width="560" height="315" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="false" ></param>
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</div>RETHINK YOUR DRINKShttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/groups/green-living/forum/rethink-your-drinks2014-05-11T16:03:06.000Z2014-05-11T16:03:06.000ZAdministrator: Jarvis Sheffieldhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/members/JarvisSheffieldMEd<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}1239968251,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_self"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}1239968251,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="720" class="align-full" /></a></p>
</div>NEAT! BIODEGRADABLE CUPS FOR KEURIGS.https://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/groups/green-living/forum/neat-biodegradable-cups-for-keurigs2014-04-08T18:34:03.000Z2014-04-08T18:34:03.000ZAdministrator: Jarvis Sheffieldhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/members/JarvisSheffieldMEd<div><p>NEAT! BIODEGRADABLE CUPS FOR KEURIGS.</p>
<p></p>
<p><span>Founded in 1979, our family-run company </span><br />
<span>grows, imports, and roasts our own coffee, and we also have a deep commitment to social and environmental responsibility. All of our coffee is shade-grown and much is 100% organic. Learn more about our innovative Community Aid program on our websites.</span></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ZE7HQL-Dj9k?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe>
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<p><a href="http://www.gourmet-coffee.com/pages.php?pageid=57">http://www.gourmet-coffee.com/pages.php?pageid=57</a></p>
</div>Time to Start the Tomatoes!https://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/groups/green-living/forum/time-to-start-the-tomatoes2014-03-10T16:32:52.000Z2014-03-10T16:32:52.000ZRuth deJaureguihttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/members/RuthdeJauregui<div><p>I have a little website I started and in the Gardening section, I wrote this little article on starting your own tomato seedlings.</p><p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.newbridges.net/1/post/2014/02/start-your-seeds-now.html">http://www.newbridges.net/1/post/2014/02/start-your-seeds-now.html</a></p></div>Fertilizing Pomegranate Treeshttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/groups/green-living/forum/fertilizing-pomegranate-trees2014-03-08T00:46:19.000Z2014-03-08T00:46:19.000ZRuth deJaureguihttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/members/RuthdeJauregui<div><p>I wrote this for Yahoo Voices -- commercial and organic methods of fertilizing pomegranates. Naturally I'd encourage you to use compost and compost tea.</p><p></p><p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://voices.yahoo.com/how-fertilize-pomegranate-tree-12295103.html?cat=32">http://voices.yahoo.com/how-fertilize-pomegranate-tree-12295103.html?cat=32</a></p></div>Free online Permaculture Design Course with Larry Korn and other world-class instructors; normally $2000+ now available completely free online!https://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/groups/green-living/forum/free-online-permaculture-design-course-with-larry-korn-and-other-2014-01-29T06:56:05.000Z2014-01-29T06:56:05.000ZAdministrator: Jarvis Sheffieldhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/members/JarvisSheffieldMEd<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}1239963598,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_self"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}1239963598,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="545" class="align-full" /></a></p>
<p>It is a 72 hour certificate course on Permaculture design and some of the topics covered include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Natural building construction</li>
<li>Pattern observation and site analysis</li>
<li>Renewable energy and appropriate technology</li>
<li>Reading the land and natural cycles</li>
<li>Rainwater harvesting and conservation</li>
<li>Soil regeneration and land restoration</li>
<li>Passive and active solar design</li>
<li>Food forests, trees, and garden design</li>
<li>Greywater considerations and system design</li>
<li>Business and financial permaculture</li>
<li>Waste recycling and treatment</li>
</ul>
<p>The curriculum is wide ranging and covers communities as a whole, not just individual homes or farms, although, from what I can tell, you can take the information and apply it in your own personal circumstances, whatever the context may be. The world needs to be thinking about these kinds of topics before the chemical and GMO pushing companies and governments make it impossible. For community activists, this promises to be very helpful in developing plans and arguments for natural rather than artificial, living. I am looking forward to it.</p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.permaculturedesigntraining.com/?cctidx=fb-onlinepdc-la-1">http://www.permaculturedesigntraining.com/?cctidx=fb-onlinepdc-la-1</a></p>
</div>INEXPENSIVE WORM BIN HOW TOhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/groups/green-living/forum/inexpensive-worm-bin-how-to2014-01-27T17:52:38.000Z2014-01-27T17:52:38.000ZAdministrator: Jarvis Sheffieldhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/members/JarvisSheffieldMEd<div><p><object width="420" height="315" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="false" ></param>
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</div>Fake Meat: The Meat Glue Secrethttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/groups/green-living/forum/fake-meat-the-meat-glue-secret2014-01-10T19:37:22.000Z2014-01-10T19:37:22.000ZAdministrator: Jarvis Sheffieldhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/members/JarvisSheffieldMEd<div><h1 id="watch-headline-title" class="yt"><span id="eow-title" class="watch-title yt-uix-expander-head" dir="ltr" title="Fake Meat: The Meat Glue Secret">Fake Meat: The Meat Glue Secret</span></h1>
<p> <object width="560" height="315" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="false" ></param>
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</div>MEET YOUR MEAT - AN INTERESTING LOOK INTO FOOD PROCESSINGhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/groups/green-living/forum/meet-your-meat-an-interesting-look-into-food-processing2014-01-08T03:22:25.000Z2014-01-08T03:22:25.000ZAdministrator: Jarvis Sheffieldhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/members/JarvisSheffieldMEd<div><p><object width="560" height="315" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="false" ></param>
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<embed wmode="opaque" width="560" height="315" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="//www.youtube.com/v/32IDVdgmzKA?hl=en_US&version=3" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="false"></embed> <param name="wmode" value="opaque" ></param></object></p>
</div>A Healthy Foods And Spiritual Nutrition Handbookhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/groups/green-living/forum/a-healthy-foods-and-spiritual-nutrition-handbook2013-09-24T21:02:20.000Z2013-09-24T21:02:20.000ZAdministrator: Jarvis Sheffieldhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/members/JarvisSheffieldMEd<div><h1 id="title" class="a-size-large a-spacing-none">A Healthy Foods And Spiritual Nutrition Handbook</h1>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Foods-Spiritual-Nutrition-Handbook/dp/161759007X/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1380056027&sr=1-4" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}1239958983,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="225" class="align-full" /></a></p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Foods-Spiritual-Nutrition-Handbook/dp/161759007X/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1380056027&sr=1-4">http://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Foods-Spiritual-Nutrition-Handbook/dp/161759007X/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1380056027&sr=1-4</a></p>
</div>The Healing Source: A Promotional Health Guide for African Americans for Survival into the 21st Centuryhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/groups/green-living/forum/the-healing-source-a-promotional-health-guide-for-african-america2013-09-24T21:01:10.000Z2013-09-24T21:01:10.000ZAdministrator: Jarvis Sheffieldhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/members/JarvisSheffieldMEd<div><h1 id="title" class="a-size-large a-spacing-none">The Healing Source: A Promotional Health Guide for African Americans for Survival into the 21st Century</h1>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bactuu/e/B001K8M5IG" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}1239959011,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="235" class="align-full" /></a></p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bactuu/e/B001K8M5IG">http://www.amazon.com/Bactuu/e/B001K8M5IG</a></p>
</div>Recycled Pallet House – Disaster Relief Housinghttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/groups/green-living/forum/recycled-pallet-house-disaster-relief-housing2013-09-14T16:10:29.000Z2013-09-14T16:10:29.000ZAdministrator: Jarvis Sheffieldhttps://blacksciencefictionsociety.com/members/JarvisSheffieldMEd<div><h1 id="pf-title">Recycled Pallet House – Disaster Relief Housing</h1>
<div id="pf-src"><a href="http://greenupgrader.com/2387/recycled-pallet-house-disaster-relief-housing/" id="pf-src-url" name="pf-src-url"><img alt="site-icon" id="pf-src-icon" src="http://s2.googleusercontent.com/s2/favicons?domain=greenupgrader.com" name="pf-src-icon" /><strong>greenupgrader.com</strong>/2387/recycled-pallet-house-disaster-relief-housing/</a></div>
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<p><a href="http://greenupgrader.com/files/2008/07/image22.jpg"><img class="colorbox-2387 laid-out smallImage" src="http://greenupgrader.com/files/2008/07/image-thumb22.jpg" alt="image" width="410" height="299" /></a></p>
<p>Over 400,000 people were left homeless by the flooding in Sri Lanka. Massive amounts of people are being displaced by natural disasters or regional conflicts every year so the demand for temporary shelters is huge. The challenge is to come up with something that is more sturdy and inviting than a tent but still practical considering the limited resource available in most situations. Another consideration that is not usually at the forefront of emergency shelter design is the impact on the environment. The Pallet house design by Azin Valy and Suzan Wines of I-Beam Design is an innovative approach that satisfies all of these considerations.</p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://greenupgrader.com/files/2008/07/image23.jpg"><img class="colorbox-2387 laid-out smallImage" src="http://greenupgrader.com/files/2008/07/image-thumb23.jpg" alt="image" width="410" height="273" /></a></p>
<p>The idea of reusing <a rel="lightbox" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3068/2645264143_5a05370971.jpg?v=0" target="_blank">shipping pallets</a> as a building material was originally developed by I-Beam for a Transitional Housing contest aimed at housing refugees in Kosovo.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><em>The competition guidelines defined transitional housing as that which bridges the gap between temporary tent shelter and permanent home. They stipulated that the house last about five years, the time it takes a Kosovar family to rebuild a typical stone house.</em></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Pallets are great material for this application because they are sturdy, inexpensive and readily available. In most cases in a disaster relief effort many of the pallets will arrive as part of the transpiration of food and materials requiring no additional logistics to procure them. If more are needed I-Beam states that they can be built by hand at a rate of 500-600 pallets per day. One transitional shelter measuring 10' x 20' would take 80 pallets to build and cost approximately $500.</p>
<p><a href="http://greenupgrader.com/files/2008/07/image24.jpg"><img class="colorbox-2387 laid-out smallImage" src="http://greenupgrader.com/files/2008/07/image-thumb24.jpg" alt="image" width="410" height="271" /></a></p>
<p>As a basic structure the pallet houses can be easily assembled and disassembled, but these pallet house not only serve as temporary houses, but can also be the framework for more permanent housing. A huge benefit that these have over other transitional housing is that they can be individually configured to a families needs. Then by adding installation, vapor barriers, plaster, plywood... these can be turned into permanent houses allowing for a more organic re-growth of these villages and communities. The picture below is a picture of an unrelated project where a shed was build from pallets but it can give you an idea of how nicely they can be finished off.</p>
<p><a href="http://greenupgrader.com/files/2008/07/image32.jpg"><img class="colorbox-2387 laid-out smallImage" src="http://greenupgrader.com/files/2008/07/image-thumb32.jpg" alt="image" width="410" height="155" /></a></p>
<p>By utilizing materials that are already in abundance this design idea limits the amount of resources needed for the relief effort. The US Forest Service and the National Wood Pallet & Container Association estimate that 1,900,000,000 timber pallets are in use in the US at a given time; 10%, or 1,900,000 timber pallets, end up in landfills; another 10% are ground up for mulch. In the ideal situation these temporary houses would be transitioned into permanent structures, however if disassembled the scrap can easily be recycled into other building materials, fuel or mulch.</p>
<p><a href="http://greenupgrader.com/files/2008/07/image26.jpg"><img class="colorbox-2387 laid-out smallImage" src="http://greenupgrader.com/files/2008/07/image-thumb26.jpg" alt="image" width="410" height="275" /></a></p>
<p>I-Beam Design has built a number of prototypes for display, but the most interesting example so far is the workshop they did at Ball State University in Muncie, India. At the workshop 35 students and 4 professors built were split into 6 teams and designed and built 6 houses in 4 days.</p>
<div class="title"><span class="text-node">Day 1</span></div>
<p><a href="http://greenupgrader.com/files/2008/07/image27.jpg"><img class="colorbox-2387 laid-out smallImage" src="http://greenupgrader.com/files/2008/07/image-thumb27.jpg" alt="image" width="410" height="275" /></a></p>
<div class="title"><span class="text-node">Day 2</span></div>
<p><a href="http://greenupgrader.com/files/2008/07/image28.jpg"><img class="colorbox-2387 laid-out smallImage" src="http://greenupgrader.com/files/2008/07/image-thumb28.jpg" alt="image" width="410" height="275" /></a></p>
<div class="title"><span class="text-node">Day 3</span></div>
<p><a href="http://greenupgrader.com/files/2008/07/image29.jpg"><img class="colorbox-2387 laid-out smallImage" src="http://greenupgrader.com/files/2008/07/image-thumb29.jpg" alt="image" width="410" height="275" /></a></p>
<div class="title"><span class="text-node">Day 4</span></div>
<p><a href="http://greenupgrader.com/files/2008/07/image30.jpg"><img class="colorbox-2387 laid-out smallImage hilight" src="http://greenupgrader.com/files/2008/07/image-thumb30.jpg" alt="image" width="410" height="275" /></a></p>
<div class="title"><span class="text-node">Clean Up</span></div>
<p><a href="http://greenupgrader.com/files/2008/07/image31.jpg"><img class="colorbox-2387 laid-out smallImage" src="http://greenupgrader.com/files/2008/07/image-thumb31.jpg" alt="image" width="410" height="275" /></a></p>
<p><em>Sources:</em></p>
<ol>
<li><a href="http://www.i-beamdesign.com/projects/refugee/refugee.html" target="_blank"><em>I-Beam Design</em></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bsu.edu/web/wjanz/WesSite/I-Beam%20Procession.htm" target="_blank"><em>Ball State University</em></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.dezeen.com/2008/05/12/pallet-house-by-i-beam/" target="_blank"><em>Dezeen | Design Magazine</em></a></li>
<li><a href="http://summerville-novascotia.com/PalletWoodShed/" target="_blank">Summerville Nova Scotia</a> via <a href="http://www.materialicio.us/" target="_blank">Materialicious</a></li>
</ol>
</div>
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