Mass-produced
self-sufficient homes for sustainable living
by Mel
Moench, Planet Earth Home
Purpose
It is common knowledge that the Earth's inhabitants are growing faster
than resources or the technologies necessary to feed and clothe them
all. While the poor will always be on this planet, I feel another model
of lifestyle should be explored. Relying on hybrid seeds of a limited
number of crops and a limited number of animals to produce the world
food supply may not be viable in a changing world. Heavy reliance on
food distribution systems and political processes have historically
had problems in the past feeding a hungry world.
Results
A mass-producible home design using low impact materials and technology
could be developed. This home would be capable of operating anywhere
on the inhabited Earth and provide for its occupants similar to a "mini-farm"
or small "food factory." The home would generate its own power
needs using renewable energy and make use of efficient food production
and food storage techniques. Efficient (high feed-to-food ratio) animals
and disease-resistant strains of plants would be chosen to provide a
healthy and nutritious diet in and around the home. Optimized methods
of planting, watering, harvesting, storage, and preparation would be
chosen that would maximize benefit.
Conclusions
A project should be began that would prove the feasibility of a low-impact
home that provides all food and power for a family, extended family,
or village. This testing and technology for this "product"
could be a model for other variations of the home that would be slightly
modified for different climatic regions and local food cultivars.
Each country could choose a variation of the basic model for development
and testing, based on regional preferences and social customs. In
this way, another choice for lifestyle would emerge—independent
living as opposed to dependence on many other systems and people.
See www.planetearthhome.com
for more information.