"Garbage Warrior" a great example of how the system fights progress

[ixion]

I just watched this last night. I'm actually in the process of setting off on a similar journey, so I could really relate to the plight and vision of Michael Reynolds.

While we're sitting around wondering why the green revolution has nearly zero momentum, the status quo system is busying doing all it can to make sure that alternative building techniques never make prime time. Despite being stronger, cheaper and more energy efficient, despite leaving a markedly smaller carbon footprint, the status quo -- every single county board in the US -- continues to fight 'green' building tooth-and-nail.

It will not end until We, the People call for it to end.

Garbage Warrior is a feature-length documentary film telling the epic story of maverick US architect Michael Reynolds and his fight to introduce radically sustainable housing. An extraordinary tale of triumph over bureaucracy, Garbage Warrior is above all an intimate portrait of an extraordinary individual and his dream of changing the world.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1104694/

http://www.garbagewarrior.com/

[Blue_Tires]

1. thanks for this...

[ixion]

2. Sure thing...

I created a more enduring post here, if you're interested, about creating a lobbyist group to try and counteract this issue.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=268x3814

[ixion]

3. Some additional links:

Earthship.com
http://earthship.com/

Yurts
http://www.coloradoyurt.com/yurts/index.php

[izquierdista]

4. Doing what you can

Maybe the building inspectors can give you grief about the house, but no one is going to bother you about building up the soil in the yard in a sustainable manner. Use all the junk mail, newspapers, magazines and assorted cardboard as mulch and turn it under. When your neighbors set out neat bags of yard waste to be carted off, abscond with them and till that under as well. An old mattress? Cover it with a couple inches of dirt and peat, and it will make a nice tomato patch.

Part of fighting the status quo is knowing how to finesse and go around it.

[ixion]

5. Indeed... already looking for loopholes

for example, if something doesn't have a foundation, and it can be disassembled and reassembled, it is technically a "temporary" structure rather than a permanent one, which (in theory) circumvents the need for pulling a permit.

I noticed a still in the movie from the early days which applied this same concept.

I agree that for the time being finesse and loopholes are the mode du jour. However, for the long term, the status quo needs to change to allow sustainable structures to be built.

[ixion]

6. kick

for the afternoon crowd...