Author: anoffgridlife

In my estimation, most people think we can just change our current fossil fuel energy to renewable energy and it is business as usual.  A co-climate crisis activist friend of mine was even clueless after I told her what was on my list as solutions.  What are people thinking?  Everything we do and buy uses fossil fuels.

Well, if you go to your garden to pick a tomato, no fossil fuels are needed.  But, we have to produce all of our food then!  Yes, that is the direction we need to go.

So, when I read this article about heat intensive industries, like steel and cement, that have no real green energy alternatives, I thought, “Just add another massive challenge to this climate crisis.”  There are some solutions but they can double the cost.  The article, “This climate problem is bigger than cars and much harder to solve,” is by David Roberts in Vox on October 10, 2019.  Roberts does a great job detailing all of the energy options and their costs.  See the link below.

Well, and you might say, “Who cares” because it is something most of us rarely think about.  It is not something we buy at the store each week.  But, our whole economy depends on them greatly.  All of our buildings and roads use cement and steel.  There are also other heat intensive materials and processes like glass, fertilizers, refining, petrochemicals, etc.

Translated, this means that besides few options in green energy, these items are producing a lot of CO2 in the atmosphere when produced, as well.

So what do we do?  In my mind, and there are other people in this camp, we need to scale back severely our notion that we have to have continuous growth.  As a reminder, we are on a finite planet so continuous growth is going to hit a brick wall eventually.  Climate crisis aside, there are only so many resources.

We can live simply.  It is possible . . . but what type of economy will we have when we do.  We have to learn to let go of our current lifestyle.  There just may be something much better on the other side.

https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2019/10/10/20904213/climate-change-steel-cement-industrial-heat-hydrogen-ccs

 

 

About 200 people showed up last Friday, October 4, to hear Gabe Brown talk about regenerative agriculture.  It was a mix of farmers, students from a college in La Crosse, a group of Amish, some environmentalists, along with three people who drove all the way from Green Bay to hear Gabe talk.  It was put on by the Tainter Creek Farmer-Led Watershed Council, along with Vernon County Land & Water.  Woodhill Farms hosted it at their farm in Viroqua, WI.  The event was from 10:00 – 3:00 with a lunch included.  There was a $10 fee with all proceeds going to improving the Tainter Creek Watershed.

And who better to talk about regenerative agriculture than Gabe.  He lives and breathes it.  He has been doing it since 1993.  In a really bad debt-ridden situation at his farm in North Dakota, he took the plunge and never looked back.  The proof is in his soil.

How do you change the farming system you have been using all of your life to something you are thinking might not work?  Gabe hammered home that you have to see things in a new way, and it is about profits and not yield.  Several times he said this system works on all soils.  He mentioned what he hears all the time, “But, Gabe, it won’t work on my soil.”  He retorts with a, “Yes, it will!”

Slide after slide showed how important the work going on underneath the soil is.  Regenerative agriculture is basically no till, planting cover crops, and rotation.  By using no till, that keeps the carbon in the soil and out of the atmosphere, which is a big plus for the climate crisis.  Cover crops add nutrients to the soil.  It can be used with grazing or row crops.  You have to have all three to be successful.  It is all spelled out in Gabe’s book, “Dirt to Soil.”

You don’t have to tell any farmer that they are losing soil.  Here in the Driftless area with all of the ridges and hills to contend with, erosion and runoff is a big problem.  Monoculture crops using fertilizers and pesticides alone will deplete the soil.  It is what to do about it, and regenerative agriculture has the solutions.  It also reduces or totally eliminates the need for fertilizers and pesticides.  Who doesn’t want to save money on those?

There are several other issues that farmers may not be aware of.  That is, the runoff of those chemicals into lakes, streams, creeks, and rivers creates dead zones.  That hurts the ecosystems, along with the fish count.  Making sure your soil is covered all the time, which is another thing Gabe commented on over and over again, helps the people living in the valleys below.  It can help reduce flooding.  Cover crops give that water somewhere to go, and better soil can hold that extra water, too.

All in all, it was a great event sending everyone home with great solutions to improve their soil and the climate crisis.  Gabe was asked how the future of regenerative agriculture looks.  He said he is booked solid with speaking engagements until 2024.

Now there’s a word . . . and no one talks about it.  It definitely needs to happen to address the climate crisis . . . to really solve the climate crisis.  I realized this when I had an “embodied energy” moment some years ago.  Once you get on the train of reducing your carbon footprint . . . or water footprint . . . or zero waste . . .  embodied energy is not far behind.

For anyone not familiar with the term embodied energy, it is basically all the energy needed to produce a product or service.  It could be anything from a house to snacks you buy in the grocery store and everything in between.

Let’s take a box of raisin bran.  Innocent enough.  First, a field had to be plowed to grow the wheat to make the flakes, then trees were cut down and processed to make the box, oil was extracted for the sleeve and all the transportation for all of the ingredients, grapes were grown and dried into raisins, the wheat was milled and processed to make the flakes, a printing press was used to get the graphics onto the box, and it was all brought to another facility to become raisin bran.  All in all, there were about 8-9 manufacturing plants to make that one item on the grocery shelf.  That does not include all of the conveyors and machinery in each of those factories.  Those factories needed to be heated or cooled and all have electricity.

And, what does that mean?  Tons of CO2 are emitted into the atmosphere from all the fossil fuels needed to get that one product manufactured and transported to the store.

That is what is necessary for one product.  Now go through that process for each and every item in a grocery store.  Yes, my head wants to explode at the thought.  No wonder China is so polluted.  And before we blame China, that is where the majority of our products come from.

And, at the end of it all, let’s ask ourselves if we really need that raisin bran?  If we are really concerned about the climate crisis we are in, can’t we all just have oatmeal for breakfast?

So, back to deindustrialization.  Just switching from fossil fuels to solar and wind is not going to cut it as a climate crisis solution.  We like to focus on the energy we use in our homes and buildings, along with the transportation we use.  We never look at the energy we use to make the products we consume.

Besides all of the CO2 emitted from all the convenience products we use and consume, we must also remember we live on a finite planet.  Read Jared Diamond’s book, “Collapse.”  He reminds us all what “carrying capacity” is all about.  Look at Easter Island.  Some societies made changes to survive and some did not.  Will we?

Richard Smith’s article in Truthout in November 12, 2014 titled, “Climate Crisis, the Deindustrialization Imperative and the Jobs vs. the Environment Dilemma” talks about what Naomi Klein did not in her book, “This Changes Everything.”  She blames capitalism for the climate crisis we are in . . . but then what?

Granted, it takes guts to talk about what really needs to be done, and Richard does it.  I highly recommend reading that article.  Eliminating all the products we don’t really need will create millions of unemployed people.  What type of economic system will we wind up with?  Not a comforting thought without something to replace our capitalist/ consumer economy.  But, what choice do we have if we want to survive?  Then again, we may end up with a better standard of living by growing our own food and creating community with a local economy.  There are solutions if we look at things in a new way.

Deindustrialization . . . try that out as a topic at the dinner table sometime.

https://thischangeseverything.org/book/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collapse:_How_Societies_Choose_to_Fail_or_Succeed

https://truthout.org/articles/climate-crisis-the-deindustrialization-imperative-and-the-jobs-vs-environment-dilemma/

Greta does it again.  Her speech to the UN this week was so powerful.  Here is a link to it:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAJsdgTPJpU

A friend sent out a link to a political cartoon with Greta.  Here is a link:  Check out the New Yorker Cartoon.

In just one year, so much has happened.  Last October it was climate change and has now changed to climate emergency.  Extinction Rebellion has spread globally and remains relentless in their nonviolent direct actions.  Greta gives a speech at the climate talks in Poland in December and then sails across the ocean on a sailboat powered by solar panels to get to the Global Student Climate Strikes last Friday and the UN meeting on Monday.  The Sunrise Movement is continuing their pressure on the DNC and support for a Green New Deal.

There was really nothing happening before this.  Every group is demanding that governments do something drastic to address the climate emergency.

I talk to people all the time and ask them if they know of these groups and Greta.  The answer is usually ‘no.’  So, I was at a canoe party in August and mentioned these groups and Greta to a couple I was talking to and got the usual answer.  I told them to look them up and mentioned the Student Strike on September 20.  Well, as I was leaving the Capitol in Madison at the strike, the couple flagged me down.  I couldn’t believe it.  They looked them up and attended.  It was awesome!

So, go out there and tell everyone what is going on with our planet.  All these actions give me much hope.

This is an update for people who may just be tuning in after two years in my cabin.  My name is Debbie, and I am wondering how I start this story.  It seems it just evolved.  There was no burning desire to live in a little cabin off grid when I was a kid, or even 20 years ago.  I probably couldn’t say I was headed for a tiny house and off grid even 5 years ago, although I had started looking for property for some sort of cabin.

I will say one thing for sure.  I wouldn’t be in this cabin if I hadn’t gone to college.  Let me back up a little.  I am 62, something my aunt reminds me of since I have taken this new lifestyle on.  She is right.  It is more physical.  Hopefully it will keep me in shape.

So, at 50 I went to college, and it changed everything for me.  One class in particular is responsible, and that is Environmental Sociology, which is what we do to the planet.  And, it ain’t pretty.  There’s plenty of time to talk about that.  Back to now.

Off grid?  Lots of people call it going backwards.  Who decides that all the modern conveniences of the western world aren’t necessary?  That would be me.  It is something I am going without for a reason.  No running water, electricity, furnace, or a/c . . . cooking on the porch when it is -5 . . . woman, are you mad?  It is all good.  There are a few challenges but all doable.

It is not that those things aren’t necessary but they are part of the CO2/pollution problem big time.  I would also suggest that when we took that turn at the Industrial Revolution and all moved from farms into the city, we cut ourselves off from Nature.  I may have to go out to pump some water after dark but I also get to delight at the stillness of the night, a sky lit up with stars, or a moon caressing the whole valley with its light.  Which nourishes my being more?  Flipping a switch or getting a little closer to Nature?  I am not even close to living the way indigenous tribes of this land lived before we came . . . but maybe I can experience a small piece of the way they lived.

There are many articles, books and documentaries to share with you that helped get me here besides the Environmental Sociology class, along with some videos I have put together.  I look forward to sharing what I know and the life I am living, along with receiving the experiences, questions, and solutions you will share on your end.

The day was a little gray so the colors of the zinnias had nothing to compete with.  Their  brilliant colors were front and center.  These are all tiny zinnias, although you can’t tell.  The packet was full of a variety of flowers but the zinnias were the only ones that showed up.  Each summer I plant them from seed, and they never disappoint.

Life is busy with the Global Climate Strike coming up this Friday.  The To Do list is always full . . . but the zinnias settle me down.  There is not much time to delve into anything else right now.  Just wanted to share my zinnias with you.

If you are not aware of this, there is a global climate strike on September 20.  Please participate if you are able.  It is for students and adults.  It is for everyone!  Major cities in the US, as well as around the world, are planning this strike.   To find out what is going on in your city, or the closest city to you, contact Extinction Rebellion, 350.org, or a Sierra Club near you.  They can help you out.

Extinction Rebellion has three demands.  They are that the government and media tell the truth about the climate crisis, we get off fossil fuels by 2025, and we create a people’s assembly so it is not just the government dictating some plan.  We, the people, definitely need to be involved in putting together the best solutions.

If you haven’t heard of Greta Thunberg yet, look her up.  She has been leading the charge, along with Extinction Rebellion and the Sunrise Movement, since last November.  Never underestimate the power of one person.

The Sunrise Movement is continuing to demand that the Democratic Party hold a climate debate.  It is rather obvious that the Democratic Party is on the side of the fossil fuel industry if they won’t hold a climate debate.  The climate crisis is the only issue that matters.

Three great videos to watch are “Heading for Extinction and What to do About It,” “Deep Adaptation,” and “Normal is Over.”  Please watch them.  The links for these videos are below.  We need to pressure our leaders and get informed on what we need to do about the climate crisis.

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The results are in . . . maybe a month, possibly two.  Not all of the vegetables from my garden are here on this little table.  Some are still on the vine.  Those would be dry beans and squash.  As I looked at all the titles of the posts before I clicked onto my site, I was extremely thrilled to see that they were all about CLIMATE!!!!  We have arrived at “This is a Climate Emergency.”  FINALLY.

Growing our own food, as I have mentioned in previous posts, is essential to limit the CO2 going into the atmosphere.  It is one of the solutions that we need desperately.  Our current food system contributes about 30% of the CO2.  Besides that, we are in a vulnerable situation if we don’t grow our own food and rely on the grid to get it.  Again, any collapse before total environmental collapse will be scary if we are looking to get food from the current system.  It is much more comforting to go into your back yard to get your food.

I looked at what to grow in the spring based on what I eat and what preserves well.  Cucumbers, zucchini, and radishes are all tasty but how do you preserve them?  Maybe there is a way but butternut squash can sit there without refrigeration and last for six months and still be good.  Dry beans?  They will last a year or longer.

Perhaps that is why indigenous tribes grew the “three sisters.”  That consisted of corn, beans, and squash.  The rationale goes that the corn was used for the pole beans to climb on, and the squash, having big leaves, added moisture to the soil.  All three are very preservable when ripe.  Well, the corn needs to go further than how we normally eat corn so it could be crushed for cornmeal or tortillas, as do the beans.

This is my second year at my place, and I know the soil needs to be revitalized.  I incorporated straw everywhere, as both mulch and nutrients for the soil.  I planted some cover crops or “green manure” in the fall and spring.  That was a bit of a mystery because I didn’t know if what was coming up were weeds or the cover crops.

My garden overall did better than last year.  Cabbage heads actually formed this year, as they were in probably the best soil.  Out of 20 heads . . . what was I thinking . . . all formed except maybe four.  I made sauerkraut.  Next year I will be a sauerkraut making machine.  This year I gave some away in fear they would rot before I made more sauerkraut.

My onions were a little bigger this year, as were my potatoes.  There is room for improvement for both.  My garlic . . . well, I learned a little about garlic this year.  Don’t let it flower!  Too late!  That is what happened.  The garlic plant spends energy on the flower and not on the bulb so the bulbs were all small.  Oh, well.  My tomatoes didn’t produce much at all so there will not be any canned tomatoes this year.  Last year I canned 19 pints.  My squashes are doing well, as are my beans.  Last year I had none to speak of.  So there has been progress made!  It is a learning experience.  I am also planning on trying to grow a grain next year.

Please . . . start learning about growing food and get a garden started.  If you don’t have space, there may be community garden plots to rent in your town.  Almost every town in my area that I used to live in had them, and I rented some.  They usually aren’t very expensive.  In the spring, some towns plow the plots.  It is also a great place to get advice from other growers that know so much.

It is the future . . . and our survival depends on it.

I must admit . . . I was a little worried about taking my Mom on this river.  We have been kayaking for a while now . . . only a couple of times on a river, and they were wide.  This river is narrow with twists and turns . . . and lots of places to end up in the river.  So, I did a dry run the week before just to see what I was getting us into.  Afterwards, I still had some reservations.

Was I crazy taking my 88 year old mother kayaking on the river?

It is so beautiful though.  This picture isn’t a great shot of the river.  It is the Kickapoo River in WI.  We started up at Ontario and just did a short two hours.  There are so many rocks and cliffs.  She loved it!

And, we didn’t end up in the river!

 

 

Sometimes we all need to take a break from the climate crisis.  My humor isn’t the same as everyone else’s but I hope this at least gives you a smile.  After spending an hour touring my close friend’s beautiful gardens, and she has about an acre, I saw this little sculpture that I had to take a picture of.  My friend couldn’t believe after all the beautiful flowers I saw that I took a picture of this squirrel.

Come on . . . how many squirrels on a swing have you seen!