What modern conveniences are the least we need?

[Niagara]

93. It's imperative that we start contemplating about sustainable housing.

We desperately need sustainable housing. There are advanced ways and technology to build homes to help protect against fire, tornado's, hurricanes and this includes flooding.


This isn't the first time and most likely won't be the last time time that I've mentioned Earthship homes on DU. I've been fascinated with Michael Reynolds and his Earthship Biotecture for the last decade. He started building these homes in New Mexico and now these homes have expanded in countries like Canada and New Zealand. Dennis Weaver hired Reynolds to plan and build his Sunridge home. The advantages of the fascinating Earthship home:


* are nearly fireproof since internal walls contain little to no oxygen
* most of the designs would qualify as earthquake-resistant
* exterior and interior walls are made from recycled tires, bottles and cans
* has it's own heating system
* has it's own cooling system
* collects rain from the roof, the water is used up to four times. It only takes a small amount rainfall to operate the water system
* contains built-in green houses for food


One disadvantage of earthship homes is that building one is extremely labor intensive. I don't know if these homes have mold issues after 25+ plus years after being built since no one ever does a follow up after that time, so I can't answer any questions about mold issues.


This video is about 8 years old. It's about 40 minutes long, although it explains how the house works.

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This Earthship home is at least 7 years old and was built in Canada.

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Then, I discovered this Eagleyew clay/straw house. This house is an inspiring concept and I absolutely would happily live in a home like this, although I don't need a house this large. This house has 3 separate heating sources and a living roof.

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For additional interest, here's a house that's hurricane proof that has pilings that can rise or fall depending on flood water. This home is termite resistant and doesn't use gutters either.

My reply most likely isn't what the OP wanted answered. However, if we construct homes to the current problematic weather conditions in different areas, that's ultimately going to save lives, resources, time and money. It won't solve all of our climate change issues, but it would make a difference.