Safety in a Failing Economy

[SoNotHer]

"Sucked dry" is right. One of my students recently showed me a text called The Atlas of the Real World: Mapping the Way We Live. It's fascinating and recommended, especially if you want to know truly how quickly we are running through the earth's "resources."

The first page I turned to in it revealed the rate of aquifer recharge throughout the world, the best being Costa Rica at 76% or there about and the worst being Bahrain at 0%. In other words, for every gallon of ground water (the source of most drinking water) Costa Rica uses, 3/4 of that gallon is replaced through rain water recharging an aquifer (subterranean or ground water). In Bahrain, nothing is recharged or replaced.

And what does the Atlas identify as the average rate of aquifer recharge in the United States? Try 16%. So imagine taking a dollar out of your savings account and putting 16 cents in to replace it. Eventually, and probably sooner than later, you have nothing.

Industrial agriculture is having a tremendous effect on the drawn down of aquifers, and almost no one is talking about this. Local farms and biodynamic, sustainable and permaculture systems that use rain cachment systems are the way to go.

Originally Posted by Sachita

I wanted to share this. Its such a powerful video for me:

http://www.theeconomicsofhappiness.org/helena-on-tedx

Small businesses locally producing and purchasing basic needs help create healthier communities. Farmers markets and small businesses revitalize the economy sucked dry by globalization. Let's become more aware of how our resources and energies can be efficiently used to increase healthy connections to the natural world.

On another note I have been visualizing and thinking about ways I an turn the farm into a small community of like minds. I have no doubt that not only could it be a wonderful place to live, a true sustainable queer commune but can also be profitable. I am still a lone trying to do this but hoping the right people step forward.

[Sachita]

Here is what needs to happen for that to take place...

the same movement you see with Occupy, people coming together not sitting around but gathering in fields, planting and working crops. 1000's of people taking control and working with local farmers. That is as proactive as it gets.

[Sachita]

This is really a great article, looks like an awesome book:

Could there ever be an alternative stock exchange dedicated to slow, small and local? Could a million American families get their food from CSAs? What if you had to invest 50 percent of your assets within 50 miles of where you live? Such questions — at the heart of “Inquiries into the Nature of Slow Money” — represent the first steps on our path to a new economy.

Read more: http://www.motherearthnews.com/natur...#ixzz1hJGXUF6N


I had a few people come out who were interested in partnering with me on growing something and building a sustainable farm. One very qualified person decided that being a vegetarian they could not live somewhere that raised hens for meat or even ate eggs. Although I don't eat meat everyday, I still do and I don't want to limit myself from raising meat for for myself and especially one day my dogs. The quality of all dog foods really scares me.

The second person stayed for 2 days, helped out but was more interested in sitting around talking, hanging out and picking my brain. I don't mind company but I'm really busy and need people that are ok with being on their own.

[Sachita]

another great article

How to Save a Million Dollars With a Sustainable Lifestyle

Read more: http://www.motherearthnews.com/healt...#ixzz1hMVk504A

perhaps we can share some of these tips? I have been helping Mia's mother with a budget. She's always broke and I buy a large part of their food, cook it to insure they eat mostly organic and safe. As we lay things out you can clearly see how things add up

[Glenn]

Folks and All; Although the unseasonably warm weather has been breaking records all over, now is the time to prepare for the cold snap. I cannot stress enough how important it is to read your own gas and electric meters if you rent or own a house.. Just today, I received an unestimated electric bill that was estimated wrong by the company. I know they never came here, because my meter is inside. So how could I get two unestimated electric bills in a row for the exact same amount? Also your cars... Folks, Try to check the antifreeze or the cold could blow out plugs and that will cost you some serious money.