Eco Houses & Global Resource Conflict
January 9th 2007 08:33
Hi again
Today saw an interesting article on the BBC News website regarding Eco Houses, in which artist Claire Bull lived 9 months in an enviromental show home in Leicester, UK. Now one of the many great features it had was a solar thermal system which provided over 50% of the energy needed for water heating.
In NZ there is still a building boom but apart from the basics, on a whole there doesn't seem to be a trend towards to buliding all enviromental houses. This could be due to the cost I expect but all these new sub divisions that are being built with large houses with all the electrical gadgets, 2 showers etc, when you think of the total cost of the build, would putting in a solar thermal system be that much of an extra burden??
As we all know, or some of us who are aware know that every year the power companies during winter, struggle to maintain supplies at the required level, so with every new house that is built, so increases the demand for power.
Where is it going to come from? It's a shame that every new house built doesn't by law have to have a solar system put in, for the earths resources won't last for ever which brings me to my next view point.
It is becoming clear the next global conflicts will be over resources, check out BBC News regarding how Russia is using it's gas supplies for leverage etc. China and India are growing to be vast comsumers of resources, so where does this leave the enviroment???
Up a creak without a paddle thats where and who really cares????? Greenpeace does and heaps of well meaning others but how many of us (myself included) want stuff at cheap prices, etc, and you only have to look at how much we throw away, although Christchurch has a great recycling set up and a great place to pick up recycled stuff at a place called the SuperShed. It's a shame this wasn't done all over the world as would save a lot on landfills.
There is an old North American Indian saying and sorry if I get it wrong but it goes like this:
'When the last tree is gone, the last fish has been eaten and the last river poisoned, only then will you find out that money can't be eaten'
Very true eh?
Anyway for overseas readers, the weather forecast here for the whole of NZ for the rest of the week until at least Sunday, is rain, thunderstorms, lightning everywhere, so bit of a bummer really.
Quote of the day 'It takes many a tumble to keep us humble'
Hal
Today saw an interesting article on the BBC News website regarding Eco Houses, in which artist Claire Bull lived 9 months in an enviromental show home in Leicester, UK. Now one of the many great features it had was a solar thermal system which provided over 50% of the energy needed for water heating.
In NZ there is still a building boom but apart from the basics, on a whole there doesn't seem to be a trend towards to buliding all enviromental houses. This could be due to the cost I expect but all these new sub divisions that are being built with large houses with all the electrical gadgets, 2 showers etc, when you think of the total cost of the build, would putting in a solar thermal system be that much of an extra burden??
As we all know, or some of us who are aware know that every year the power companies during winter, struggle to maintain supplies at the required level, so with every new house that is built, so increases the demand for power.
Where is it going to come from? It's a shame that every new house built doesn't by law have to have a solar system put in, for the earths resources won't last for ever which brings me to my next view point.
It is becoming clear the next global conflicts will be over resources, check out BBC News regarding how Russia is using it's gas supplies for leverage etc. China and India are growing to be vast comsumers of resources, so where does this leave the enviroment???
Up a creak without a paddle thats where and who really cares????? Greenpeace does and heaps of well meaning others but how many of us (myself included) want stuff at cheap prices, etc, and you only have to look at how much we throw away, although Christchurch has a great recycling set up and a great place to pick up recycled stuff at a place called the SuperShed. It's a shame this wasn't done all over the world as would save a lot on landfills.
There is an old North American Indian saying and sorry if I get it wrong but it goes like this:
'When the last tree is gone, the last fish has been eaten and the last river poisoned, only then will you find out that money can't be eaten'
Very true eh?
Anyway for overseas readers, the weather forecast here for the whole of NZ for the rest of the week until at least Sunday, is rain, thunderstorms, lightning everywhere, so bit of a bummer really.
Quote of the day 'It takes many a tumble to keep us humble'
Hal
| 16 |
| Vote |
Subscribe to this blog
