Hydroponics Blair • 3 weeks ago • 96%

deepgreenpermaculture.com

> "Indoor plants not only add a touch of greenery to your living space but also purify the air and boost your mood. While traditional soil-based planting is popular, growing plants in water, known as hydroponics, is gaining traction due to its simplicity and aesthetic appeal. In this guide, we’ll explore which indoor plants can be grown in water, how to care for them, and other useful tips for successful hydroponic gardening." 

Solarpunk technology Blair • 3 weeks ago • 95%

> Could a 3D-robotic loom be the answer to making fast fashion faster and more sustainable? Unspun's patented loom (so proprietary that we had to blur it for the video) can create clothing that fits you seamlessly every time, with just a scan of your phone, and far less waste than other clothing production methods. >Unspun is pioneering a different method of apparel production out of Oakland, California. By utilizing three-dimensional weaving, the start-up is building garments from the ground up, perfectly customized for the wearer's dimensions. One other fact that stood out to me is that the weave uses more yarn (about 3x more, if my memory is right) than the average clothes today. That difference makes clothes more durable and last longer. I doubt this will make the clothes more affordable, but the tech is interesting.

Solarpunk Urbanism Blair • 4 weeks ago • 100%

>“These two directions require different properties for cool walls,” says Qilong Cheng, a postdoctoral researcher at Purdue University who worked on the study as a graduate student at Columbia University. “So we have this two-surface zigzag design, with one surface facing the sky and the other facing the ground.” >The angles, looking a little like the sawtooth roofs of factory rooms, can shave 5.5° Fahrenheit off average indoor temperatures. >Radiation coming up from the ground is reduced or deflected by one material, while heat from the sun is reflected with ultra-white paint.  [More info in the article](https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/build-a-zigzag-pattern-onto-walls-to-keep-buildings-cool-during-heat-waves/)

Green Energy Blair • 1 month ago • 100%

Does anyone know about the environmental impact of these? I sometimes hear about boat propellers hurting wildlife, so what about these? I’m almost an 11h drive from the nearest coast, so this is not an area of knowledge I am well versed in haha.

zerowaste Blair • 1 month ago • 92%

 > ([Image Source](https://superbee.me/refresh-wool-dryer-balls/)) 100% wool dryer balls are growing in popularity to the point where I have even seen them at my local dollar store, and for good reason. They can save you money in laundry costs. If you are someone who uses dryer sheets, these wool balls are a great alternative that removes static from your clothes and [can decrease drying time by around 30-50%](https://davidsuzuki.org/living-green/wool-dryer-balls-shrink-drying-time/). So, you save money by not having to buy dryer sheets, as well as on electricity. All you do is toss them into the dryer with your clothes! > "Per Toner, “Dryer balls excel in reducing drying time due to their ability to create space between clothes. This separation facilitates better air circulation, leading to faster drying and potential energy savings.” | [bobvila](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/what-do-dryer-balls-do/) I have had mine for many many years now, and they are still in great shape. When or if they do ever break down to the point of being unable to use, the wool is biodegradable. Just make sure that what you buy is 100% wool. If you are crafty (and have access to wool) you can also make your own fairly easily. https://youtu.be/de644Zwtnbg

Solarpunk Blair • 1 month ago • 100%

www.positive.news

  > Keeping a lid on your carbon footprint doesn’t stop with your last breath. Your choice of funeral can have a significant environmental impact. In a recent report by the US-based National Funeral Directors Association, 60.5% of those surveyed expressed their interest in greener options including resomation (water cremation) human composting and natural burials. https://www.positive.news/society/eco-concerns-prompt-green-funeral-options/ I debated for a while on if I should post this or not (rather morbid, I know) but I think it's an important thing to think about.

Solarpunk Farming Blair • 1 month ago • 90%

For those of you who are doing hydroponics, what do you think of this system? Is it a good system for a beginner on a budget? Or is there a better system?

Solarpunk Farming Blair • 1 month ago • 99%

Did you know that simply digging a slight ditch can completely change the health of a landscape? In modern landscaping, any sort of hole or ditch is considered a “dangerous tripping hazard,” “unsightly,” or “a waste of space,” so everything is smoothed out. If you go to most cities and farms, the only non-flat places are designed to carry water away from cities, rather than hold onto it. This thought process can not only increase overland flooding and wash away topsoil, but it also gives water no place to sit and be absorbed into the soil. Without any water capture gradually trickling into the soil and creating an underground reservoir, the landscape becomes less drought resistant and more susceptible to wildfires. The permaculture techniques to correct this have many names and methods, including: - [Demi-lunes](https://www.greener.land/index.php/product/demi-lunes-semi-circular-bunds/) / Half - moons / Semi-circular bunds - [Eyebrow terraces](https://www.greener.land/index.php/product/eyebrow-terraces-banquettes/#:~:text=Eyebrow%20terraces%20are%20a%20form,made%20from%20soil%20and%20stones.) / banquettes - [Negarim](https://www.greener.land/index.php/product/negarim/#:~:text=Negarim%20is%20an%20intervention%20that,also%20preserves%20soil%20from%20erosion.) - [Contour bunds](https://www.greener.land/index.php/product/contour-bunds/) - [Micro basins](https://www.geo.fu-berlin.de/en/v/iwrm/Implementation/technical_measures/Water-harvesting-techniques/micro_catchment/microbasins_basins/index.html) - [Planting pits](https://www.geo.fu-berlin.de/en/v/iwrm/Implementation/technical_measures/Water-harvesting-techniques/micro_catchment/planting_pits/index.html#:~:text=Planting%20pits%20are%20mini%2Dbasins,60%20cm%20%E2%80%93%201%20m%20apart.) / Zai pits / [Chololo pits](https://www.worldagroforestry.org/blog/2022/03/04/chololo-pits-bring-plentiful-harvests-farmers-tanzanian-drylands) - [Swales](https://www.susdrain.org/delivering-suds/using-suds/suds-components/swales-and-conveyance-channels/swales.html#:~:text=Swales%20are%20shallow%2C%20broad%20and,soil%20and%20groundwater%20conditions%20allow.) They might be different shapes and use slightly different methods, but they all do all work the same on a basic level. The idea is to dig or build a shape that will slowdown and/or catch some of the movement of water. This can make the soil more absorbent (dry and hardened soil does not absorb water as easily) which promotes healthy microbiome of the soil. Even if the water dries out visibly during the dry season, underground, they could be making a huge difference.  It is not new science, but instead something many cultures around the world have a long history with, but many modern farming practices(mostly to make it farming machine friendly) and development flatten everything out. If people changed this point of view, it could change our landscapes. In cities, they look like a slight ditch in front of a house, or a creek in a greenspace.   (Image Sources:[ Image 1]( https://www.susdrain.org/delivering-suds/using-suds/suds-components/swales-and-conveyance-channels/swales.html#:~:text=Swales%20are%20shallow%2C%20broad%20and,soil%20and%20groundwater%20conditions%20allow.) |[ Image 2](https://water.phila.gov/gsi/tools/swale/)) For other landscapes, it could be just slight indents in un-farmable areas, or ditches dug around farm perimeters. They do not have to be very deep, and often do not need any fancy equipment to dig(most just take a shovel), but they can do amazing things. In the process of reversing landscape desertification, it is proving drastically helpful. As the underground water reserves build, so does the vegetation.  (Image Source: [Just Dig It](https://twitter.com/justdiggit/status/1534807005885435910). An example of demi-lunes / half-moons) More Info: - https://youtu.be/RPJ9T4yAEGs - https://youtu.be/CG4-u1q1x3Y

Solarpunk Urbanism Blair • 1 month ago • 97%

Greenery on walls can [reduce a buildings heat loss by 30%](https://www.treehugger.com/living-walls-can-reduce-heat-loss-in-buildings-5212309), improve air quality, help absorb sounds, and can even [reduce a cities temperature](https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiehailstone/2021/07/23/are-living-walls-the-key-to-cooler-cities/), so it is no wonder so many places are considering them. Here are two options I think are interesting: **Vertical Meadows:**   There is a bit of a terminology game here. Verticals *gardens* are sometimes found in wealthy office buildings, but they do nothing for local eco-systems and are often non-local tropical varieties of plants. Even for those found outside, the plants are often picked for appearance alone, instead of what would help local biodiversity. In comparison, vertical *meadows* have a different goal. Vertical meadows (started in [London, England](https://www.verticalmeadow.com/)) are outdoor vertical greenery walls that uses locally-grown native and seasonal plants, ensuring year-round options for wildlife like pollinators and birds. The main problem with these setups is that they tend to require watering systems, which (even if rainwater collection is installed) can be rather costly. More Info: - https://youtu.be/Qyi_7HCVoPM - https://youtu.be/OXUYZdfqq1Q  **Moss Walls:**  Companies like [Respyre](https://gorespyre.com/) use upcycled bioreceptive concrete and a moss coating encourage moss-growth on any vertical surface without risk of damaging the buildings. Other companies(such as [Green City Solutions](https://greencitysolutions.de/en/)) grow panels of moss, which can then be installed like tiles. Due to moss being so inexpensive to incorporate, it is becoming a popular option. For added benefits, moss is drought tolerant to a point, and can absorb [6x more C02 than other plants](https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/the-magic-of-moss-the-tiny-plant-absorbs-6x-more-co2-than-other-plants-says-new-study/). Moss is basically a living filter, and can even [filter arsenic out of water](https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/662099#:~:text=Moss%20capable%20of%20removing%20arsenic%20from%20drinking%20water%20discovered&text=A%20moss%20capable%20of%20removing,harmful%20for%20people%20to%20drink.). More info: - https://youtu.be/cE02cQIVSAs - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tYG3MepUu0 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tYG3MepUu0 However, moss can be hard to grow commercially(mostly due to the fact that they release spores instead of seeds), so many of the mosses people buy, especially those used for craft supplies, are illegally poached from the wild. If a little is left behind, moss typically can regenerate, but many harvesters simply roll up huge blankets of moss, leaving nothing behind. It is estimated that the mosses can take [10-20 years](https://www.iatp.org/news/for-mountain-people-moss-is-a-cash-crop-wv) to grow back. So, please research where the moss is sourced if you plan on buying any. If the company does not grow it themselves or does not mention where they source it, do not buy any.

Solarpunk Farming Blair • 1 month ago • 100%

[Vergenoegd Winery](https://vergenoegd.co.za/)(South Africa) is handling pests using a unique solution; ducks. These ducks enable the winery to be pesticide-free. Video: https://youtu.be/H6Ehoxu9QY8 The reason for this is that ducks love to eat all sorts of garden pests: including slugs, snails, mosquitoes, ants, and more. > "You may also be wondering: Why ducks and not chickens? While it’s true that chickens can help to keep bugs at a low in your garden, they also have a habit of being a little less delicate around garden plants than ducks do. Chickens love fresh greenery and will be more than happy to eat your homegrown lettuce, whereas ducks will focus less on your hard work and more on the bugs in your yard." | [The Spruce ](https://www.thespruce.com/keeping-ducks-for-garden-pest-control-8669668) Similarly to the winery, ducks are also often employed to help with rice paddies. The ducks not only help with pests and fertilization, but their paddling helps both aerate the water and kick up mud(the increased oxygen and decreased light can cut down on algae or weed growth). As an added benefit, the eggs and/or meat can be eaten. I know that will upset many of you but the added financial benefit of that is further incentivizing farmers to switch from herbicides and pesticides, to ducks. > "Another study done by Practical Action2 concluded that the duck-rice farming technology led to several socio-economic and environmental benefits. The ducks were introduced into the rice fields 10-20 days after rice was planted until the flowering stages. The study also found out that this form of farming was better in rice production than others as it led to decreased production costs, high yields achievement, had benefits for the environment and led to increased income. Further, it’s stated that 20% higher yields can be achieved with the use of this system, 50% increase in income can be achieved as well as enhanced food security through the consumption of duck meat." | [Permaculture Research Institute ](https://www.permaculturenews.org/2016/09/15/use-ducks-rice-fields-control-weed-pest/) Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0ISdo-b7Lk  ([Image Source](https://www.permaculturenews.org/2016/09/15/use-ducks-rice-fields-control-weed-pest/))

Solarpunk Urbanism Blair • 2 months ago • 100%

reasonstobecheerful.world

I grabbed some quotes for those short on time. More details on everything are in the article. 1. > In São Paulo’s favelas, low-income communities are building their own green roofs. These affordable vinyl sheet roofs were created by Teto Verde Favela, a nonprofit founded by local Luis Cassiano. 2. > In place of traditional air-conditioning, Seville has turned to a 3,000-year-old solution. With the help of two scientists, the city in southern Spain is reviving a Middle Eastern technology: qanats, underground channels that transport water from higher to lower altitudes and drive the coolness upwards. 3. > A simple approach to heat is helping Singapore address its urban heat challenges: painting buildings and other surfaces with reflective paint. 4. > Munich’s climate-friendly cooling system utilizes natural energy from underground water streams. According to the city utility of Munich, Stadtwerke Muenchen (SWM), the use of these natural cold water streams has resulted in energy savings in the city of 70 percent compared to traditional cooling technology like air conditioning. Thanks to the city’s cooling system, more than 80,000 residents in Munich receive ecological energy. https://reasonstobecheerful.world/cities-cool-down-creatively/

Solarpunk technology Blair • 2 months ago • 95%

www.optimistdaily.com

>Herbicides have a long history of negative consequences. Glyphosate and paraquat, among other pollutants, are extremely harmful to human health and the environment. These pollutants impair soil quality and destroy beneficial organisms such as pollinators. Furthermore, the widespread use of herbicides has resulted in weed resistance, making chemical management less effective. >Kenny Lee, co-founder and CEO of Aigen Robotics, is personally committed to reducing pesticide use. Lee, a glyphosate-related non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivor, has collected $19 million for his startup to produce solar-powered weeding robots. “We’re on a personal mission,” Lee says, emphasizing their dedication to sustainable agriculture.

Tree Huggers Blair • 2 months ago • 93%

www.goodnewsnetwork.org

> It’s long been thought that soil is the only effective terrestrial methane sink, as certain microorganisms use methane as a food source, but similar creatures live under a tree’s layer of bark, meaning that not only do our woody cousins withdraw CO2 from the atmosphere and store it in their roots, but also remove methane as well, about as effectively or perhaps more so than soil.

Solarpunk Blair • 2 months ago • 99%

**RIGHT TO REPAIR** A big fight is happening world-wide to push governments to ensure people can repair the products they own. > “The right to repair refers to proposed government legislation to forbid manufacturers from imposing barriers that deny consumers the ability to repair and modify their own consumer products.” | [Wikipedia](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_to_repair) This is happening because of: - **Planned Obsolescence**: companies are purposely building their products to break faster, so you have to pay to replace them sooner. - **Unfixable Products**: some products will have their components soldered, glued, or riveted, to stop people from being able to repair. - **Brand-Specific Parts**: These parts may cost more than buying a new product. As well as that, some companies refuse to let independent repair technicians purchase their parts to try and force costumers to only use the product company for repairs. - **Restrictive Programing**. For these, the programs refuse to let you fix your own products (a large example of this [happens to farm equipment, ](https://youtu.be/EPYy_g8NzmI?feature=shared) where farmers have to hack their own equipment if they want to repair on their own). **More Info:** - https://youtu.be/NWQ8y3TksrQ - https://youtu.be/wzWU7D0S9_8?feature=shared  **REPAIR CAFES** Repair cafes are typically community-run events where volunteers gather to fix the broken items of strangers for free. My town started doing it a long time ago, and it was so popular that it now happens several times a year. People bring in stand mixers, vacuums, computers, items that need sewing repairs, and more. Often, the person is very willing to explain the repairs as they do them. In other places, repair cafes have become more permanent. For example, in Austria, the government started [paying those who repair](https://reasonstobecheerful.world/in-austria-the-government-pays-to-repair-your-stuff/). Repair cafes not only save people money, but they also can greatly reduce the amount of waste produced by saving those repaired items from the landfill. **More Info on Repair Cafes:** - https://youtu.be/6ZrnVobXWFQ

Solarpunk Farming Blair • 2 months ago • 98%

 [(Image Source)](https://www.abc.net.au/gardening/how-to/food-forest-fundamentals/12726464) For food forests, you do what you can to use edible plant life to mimic the ecosystems of a wild forest. >“A food forest, also called a forest garden, is a diverse planting of edible plants that attempts to mimic the ecosystems and patterns found in nature.” | [Project Food Forest](https://projectfoodforest.org/what-is-a-food-forest/) If done right, this system will… - Promote a healthy soil microbiome - Increase carbon-capture (no-till) - Prevent erosion - Retain water And more. Personally, I suggest using as many perennials to your area as you can so you don't have to replant everything every year. Here are some perennial examples that are for my specific area: (⚠ means you may want to container garden them to prevent spread) - 🥬Lovage (celery alternative) - 🥗 Bloody Dock (chard alternative) - 🥗 Good King Henry (spinach alternative) - 🥔 Jerusalem Artichoke (root vegetable) - 🥗 Sea Kale - 🧅 Chives ⚠ - 🥝Hardi-Kiwi - 🍓Wild strawberries - Raspberries ⚠ - Wild blueberries - Red or Black Currants - Haskap/Honeyberries - 🍇Valiant or Bluebell Grapes - Rhubarb - Saskatoons - Pembina Plums - 🍒Evans (sour) cherries - Manchurian Apricots - 🍎 Hardi-Mac Apples **More Info on Food Forests:** - https://youtu.be/Q_m_0UPOzuI - https://youtu.be/6GJFL0MD9fc - https://youtu.be/mdi_9o92XcU

Tree Huggers Blair • 2 months ago • 100%

 Years ago, I took an online course on mountains, and one fact that stuck with me from it was about how people in the USA accidentally polluted the water in New York City by cutting down trees. It was the 1800s, and the trees in the Catskill Mountains were cut down to accommodate growing populations, and as a result, the water quality for New Yorkers deteriorated rapidly. Yes, the agriculture pollution and sewage did play a part, but the trees were decided to be such a big problem, that they decided something had to be done. So, they purchased land, and planted 18000 trees to restore the natural ecosystem. How does this water-cleaning work? With watersheds. > “Watershed: an area of high ground from which water flows down to a river” | [Cambridge Dictionary](https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/watershed) Imagine it is raining in a forest. Droplets hit the ground, and —thanks to the vegetation which slows runoff — it is absorbed into the soil like a sponge. As the water moves through the soil, microbes are actively removing harmful pollutants, silt is filtered, and plants removing fertilizers. Some of the water will end up in our lakes and streams, but will be much cleaner than when it started. > "The ability of forests to aid in the filtration of water doesn’t only provide benefits to our health and the health of an ecosystem, but also to our pocketbooks. Forest cover has been directly linked to drinking water treatment costs, so the more forest in a source water watershed, the lower the cost to treat that water. Forests provide these benefits by filtering sediments and other pollutants from the water in the soil before it reaches a water source, such as a stream, lake or river." | [American Forests](https://www.americanforests.org/article/the-important-relationship-between-forests-and-water/) Since this intake and outtake of water is gradual, removal of these forests can even to lead to a higher chance of both droughts and floods. More Info: - https://youtu.be/QOrVotzBNto - https://youtu.be/OfqOOqz0RhU

Solarpunk Urbanism Blair • 2 months ago • 97%

Have you ever wondered why so many large chain stores have two sets of doors? No, it is not just to store shopping carts. Where I live, any home that is around 100 years old (that hasn't seen any renovations) will very likely have two front doors. Putting it simply, you open one door, step into a small space, and there will be another door in front of you.   (Image Sources: [Image 1](https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/457115430937940209/) | [Image 2](https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/140806232906426/)) The space goes by many names, including: arctic entry, mud room, breeze room, vestibule, airlock, foyer, and more. For sake of simplicity, I am going to call them "entry vestibules." Entry vestibules create a buffer between the outside and the inside of the building, preventing drafts. This can help greatly with temperature regulation in both the winter cold and summer heat. I can't find number details on energy saving, but the fact that large chains still build them may hint of their importance for money-saving. In homes, this space also typically serves as the mud room ( a place for shoes and jackets). In the name of "first impressions," and open concept designs, vestibules are often the first thing to go during renovations, and I think that's a real shame.

Tree Huggers Blair • 2 months ago • 100%

  Have you heard of the beautiful living root bridges in Meghalaya, India? Their construction is a lesson in patience as the roots are gradually encouraged to grow in the supportive shape. They need regular care, but grow stronger with age. >“Once a bamboo structure has been stretched across the river, the roots of the tree, usually the rubber tree (Ficus elastica), are teased and manipulated to become entwined with the bamboo until it becomes a strong mesh. > The roots are allowed to grow gradually and strengthen over time. In the initial stages, only about 15-20 people can cross the bridge in a day. Much later, it can be as many as 50 or more, although it can take up to two decades for a living roots bridge to be finished.” | [The Guardian ](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/01/india-living-root-bridges-submitted-to-unesco) Once done, the bridges can have a[ lifespan of several hundred years](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_root_bridge#cite_note-:4-5); far outliving the original creators of them. It is unknown when this tradition started, but they were written[ about in 1844](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Asiatic_Society), so it would be far earlier than that. I just thought people on here might find this tradition as fascinating as I do. More Info: - https://youtu.be/1H0qTm7wNjk

Here in Canada, beavers are often not thought of in a kind light. Yes, tourist shops sell beaver merchandise, and one of our coins even has a beaver on it, but among locals, they do not have the best reputation. Beavers to many are considered a pest. They clog storm drains, cut down forests, and flood farmland. To make them seem even more frightening, sometimes their work on building dams goes for generations. The worlds biggest beaver dam (in[ Wood Buffalo National Park](https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/wood-buffalo-national-park), Alberta, Canada) is so large, it can even be seen from space. However, they don’t really deserve the bad reputation they are getting. Here are just some of the reasons why to love beavers.  **1. They help local wildlife** When a beaver builds a dam, it does restrict the flow of water, but it does not stop the flow completely. This creates havens for fish and other wildlife. > “The study found that in the pools created by beaver dams there were 37 percent more fish than in comparable stretches of the river where there were no dams.” | [BBC from this article](https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/51528733#:~:text=Beavers%20build%20leaky%20dams%20which,where%20there%20were%20no%20dams.)  **2. They can help with flooding** The common perception is that beavers cause flooding, and in a way, that is true. They create a dam, and that dam waterlogs habitats on a small scale. However, on a larger scale, those dams can help slow the flow of water in a network of channels, which reduces the chance of damage for people living down stream during floods. > The dams have slowed the flow of floodwater through the village, reducing “peak flows” during flood events. | [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/17/beavers-cut-flooding-and-pollution-and-boost-wildlife-populations)  **3. They can help with droughts** Thanks to the holding of water, they can create reserves of water that can last even after every other source in the area goes dry. As well as that, slowing down the water gives the surrounding soil a better chance at absorbing the water. > “Beaver can help lessen the effects of drought because they cause water to be stored on the surface and absorbed into the sub-surface of the land due to the impoundment of water by their dams. This can increase stream flow during drought periods and make ecosystems less vulnerable during dry periods." | [Parks Canada](https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/mb/riding/nature/animals/mammals/castors-beavers)  **4. They improve water quality** Thanks to "beaver fever," it is commonly thought that beavers dirty the water and make it undrinkable. Beaver fever is a parasitic infection of the digestive system that you can get from drinking contaminated water, eating raw meat, or even changing diapers. So, no, it is not only restricted to beavers, but it ended up being called that here after some hikers made the poor decision of drinking from a contaminated stream in Banff National Park(Alberta, Canada). Yes, drinking untreated stream water is never a good idea, but no, beavers are not all to blame for making water less drinkable. In fact, they help remove some harmful pollutants. > “Beaver dams and pools reduce soil erosion and retain sediment, which absorb and filter pollutants such as heavy metals, pesticides, and fertilizers. This improves the quality of water downstream used by humans and other species.” | [Parks Canada](https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/mb/riding/nature/animals/mammals/castors-beavers)  **5. They help limit the impacts of forest fires** When a beaver makes a dam, it is not just the pool that sees the benefit, but also all the earth around it. While the water does trickle down stream, it also enters the earth in an underground network, moistening the area. This creates a lush green environment that is more protected from fires. > When a fire ignites, that green vegetation near the beaver ponds will be more difficult to burn than other nearby dry vegetation. The fire will often take the path of least resistance and burn through the dry vegetation away from beaver ponds instead of smoldering through the wet vegetation near beaver ponds. | [Emily Fairfax, PH.D](https://emilyfairfaxscience.com/research/firebeavers/)  > [Figure from Fairfax, E. and Whittle, A. (2020)](https://href.li/?https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.2225),  More Info: - https://youtu.be/sdkZH3uM1BI - https://youtu.be/FR-5F9x-fmo - https://youtu.be/RAHvrLNe5K4

Tree Huggers Blair • 2 months ago • 98%

> A good place to start learning more about Miyawaki Method https://www.sugiproject.com/blog/the-miyawaki-method-for-creating-forests https://earthwatch.org.uk/program/tiny-forest/

Solarpunk Urbanism Blair • 2 months ago • 95%

> “Every year summers are hotter and heat waves more frequent, with cities suffering most. A network of climate shelters in Barcelona isn’t only making people more comfortable, it’s also saving lives.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZI4Rh_APFQ

Solarpunk Farming Blair • 2 months ago • 100%

If you want an easy way to help your local pollinators, then consider building a water station! Many plants and crops rely on pollinators, so the more you attract and help, the healthier your garden will be (for example: "“[Bee pollination improves crop quality, shelf life and commercial value.](https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2013.2440)”) For a basic one, you will need: - Tray or dish - Rocks - Water The tray or dish is to hold everything, and the rocks are to give the pollinators something safe to land on. Without the rocks, you will likely end up with drowned bees. Due to evaporation, you may have to fill the dish once or more a day. HOWEVER, although that is the most common method, there is another one that I prefer that was taught to me by local beekeepers. They use a refilling dog bowl instead of a dish, so it doesn't have to be filled as often.  ([Image Source](https://offgridworld.com/protect-your-local-pollinators-with-a-diy-bee-watering-station/)) While this was advice from beekeepers, the watering stations are not limited to honeybees; you may see all sorts of native pollinators visiting. If you can't buy a refilling bowl, [here is a tutorial on how to DIY one](https://youtu.be/GG8saybSsF8). No matter what you choose, though, the pollinators will appreciate it! I do suggest putting the water in shade [to limit possible algae growth](https://outdoormoss.com/does-algae-need-sunlight).

Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) Blair • 2 months ago • 100%

  ([Image Source)](https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2022/06/02/peatlands-which-can-help-fight-against-climate-change-face-many-threats) Since peat bogs collect and store large amounts of carbon, they are what is known as a “carbon sink.” So, one way to help the planet would be to protect these spaces, but unfortunately peat, and often the land, is valuable. >"Worldwide, the remaining area of near natural peatland (over 3 million km2) sequesters 0.37 gigatonnes of CO2 a year. Peat soils contain more than 600 gigatonnes of carbon which represents up to 44% of all soil carbon, and exceeds the carbon stored in all other vegetation types including the world’s forests.“ [IUCN](https://www.iucn.org/resources/issues-brief/peatlands-and-climate-change#:~:text=Worldwide%2C%20the%20remaining%20area%20of,types%20including%20the%20world's%20forests.) Peat is built up dead vegetation that(thanks to the wet and low-oxygen environments) does not break down, creating a sponge-like effect. They hold carbon, help control water flow(helping with both [floods](https://www.iucn-uk-peatlandprogramme.org/news/peat-restoration-and-natural-flood-management) and [droughts](https://www.iucn.org/resources/issues-brief/peatlands-and-climate-change)), and [improve water quality](https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/3/1/323) through filtering. If harvested on a small and sustainable scale, it can provide[ a firewood alternative](https://www.britannica.com/technology/peat), a plant substrate, a fertilizer, and more. However, the peatlands are drained on large scales, so it is important that people know the importance of these (often hated) areas. More Info: - https://youtu.be/MtsQPV49cAk - https://youtu.be/fOYaUZdgCA0 - https://youtu.be/r-LY17qcQEk

Ocean Conservation & Tidalpunk Blair • 2 months ago • 100%

www.positive.news

A family in Wales is farming in the ocean. On suspended ropes, they farm seaweed, mussels, oysters, and scallops. This method is not just mutually beneficial for what they farm, but is also helps the ocean habitat. There are no nets around the area, so wildlife is free to enter the area. One major way this farming method helps is that it creates an exclusion zone to prevent fishermen from trawling it. This could have a direct positive impact on over-fishing by giving wildlife safe havens. >Brown believes a thriving ocean farming industry could provide solutions to the UK’s fish stock, which is in “a deeply troubling state” according to a report that found half of the key populations to be overfished. “It would create stepping stones where we have safe havens for fish and other organisms,” he adds.

zerowaste Blair • 2 months ago • 95%

www.goodnewsnetwork.org

> Around 50 billion disposable drink cups are used every year in the US, but in the city of Petaluma, we will see if Americans have the discipline to reduce this footprint. >The city numbers around 60,000 people, and will participate in the Reuseable Cup Project. The aim is to furnish 30 local restaurants, from Starbucks to Taco Bell, with identical, durable, plastic drink cups, which customers and diners can use and then either leave on the table, or deposit in a network of dropoff bins around the city.

Solarpunk Farming Blair • 2 months ago • 92%

>"The rock powder, usually basalt, is often scavenged from local mines or quarries, where it exists as a waste by-product. ERW companies collect the rock powder, sometimes milling it further to reduce the grain size. Then they truck it to farms, where it is used in place of ag lime. > Studies show that volcanic rock dust can raise the pH of overworked soils, improving productivity." [Modern Farmer](https://modernfarmer.com/2023/09/enhanced-rock-weathering/)

Solarpunk Farming Blair • 2 months ago • 100%

 ([Image Source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dust_Storm_Texas_1935.jpg)) Have you heard of The Great Dust Bowl? It was a series of dust storms in the USA that were so intense,[ they killed crops](https://www.history.com/topics/great-depression/dust-bowl), livestock, and people during the the great depression. The situation was amplified by a drought, but the dust was also human caused. >“Following years of overcultivation and generally poor land management in the 1920s, the region—which receives an average rainfall of less than 20 inches (500 mm) in a typical year—suffered a severe drought in the early 1930s that lasted several years. The region’s exposed topsoil, robbed of the anchoring water-retaining roots of its native grasses, was carried off by heavy spring winds. ” [Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/place/Dust-Bowl) This dust storm was so thick that it blocked the sun.  ([Image Source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:DustStormInSpearmanTexas19350414.jpg)) >“Dear Mr. Roosevelt, Darkness came when it hit us. Picture taken from water tower one hundred feet high. Yours Truly, Chas. P. Williams." [An unknown author writes to Roosevelt](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dust_Storm_in_Rolla,_Kansas,_%2205-06-35,_Dear_Mr._Roosevelt,_Darkness_came_when_it_hit_us._Picture_taken_from_water..._-_NARA_-_195691.tif) Under the hands of desperate farmers, grasslands turned to landscapes so lifeless and dangerous, that many people abandoned their dreams and left. One of the practices that amplified this disaster (that is a current farming practice to this day) is rototilling. During this, you flip the soil over, which can make planting easier. This comes with many problems, including: - **Destroying the soil microbiome.** Healthy soil means healthy crops. - **More weeds.** As you flip your soil you are allowing dormant seeds a chance to thrive - **Soil Compaction:** As the soil gets more compact, it becomes harder for roots to work through it. - **Washing or blowing away top soil.** Top soil is where the heathiest soil is, and it can be washed away if left uncovered - **Drying the soil.** By leaving the soil exposed you are letting the sun bake out any moisture Fixes: - **Crop rotation.** This is a pre-medieval technique where you rotate what crops you grow in what soil. This can add nutrients to the soil, avoid nutrient depletion, reduce diseases, and reduce pests. - **Cover Crops**. Never leave your soil bare. Cover crops can save your soil. - **Water Catchments**. These slow down the movement of water, encouraging the soil absorbing it. Examples: bunds or swales. - **Alternative farming**. Such as aquaponics or hydroponics. - **Food forests**. Instead of rows of monoculture, food forest combine several different types of plants in a way that mimics a forest. - **Reducing food waste**. To take pressure off food production. In Canada alone, $31 billion dollars worth of food waste is thrown out a year. - **Mulch.** Putting mulch down can protect your soil while also keeping down weeds. - **Planting trees and bushes**. Even if it is just on the outside perimeter of your crops, trees and bushes can help hold soil in place, reduce wind, and improve the general health of the area.  ([Image Source](https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/no-till-farming-improves-soil-health-and-mitigates-climate-change)) More Info: - https://youtu.be/xFqecEtdGZ0

Solarpunk Farming Blair • 2 months ago • 97%

 ([Image Source](https://savvygardening.com/growing-loofah/)) Did you know that you can grow your own bath sponges? >"Luffa is a genus of tropical and subtropical vines in the pumpkin, squash and gourd family.” [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luffa) Luffa plants are from southeast Asia, and can be grown in places with a long warm summer. The fruit can take a long time to grow and toughen it’s inner fibers (about 150-200 days), but after that time, they are ready to become sponges. Explaining it simply, you peel the skin, wash the insides, hang them to dry, then you are done. > “Getting all the seeds out can be a challenge, but the drier the sponges are, the easier the seeds will fall out. Save the best ones for next year. You can also cut open the sponges in any shape you want to remove seeds or make a loofah fiber mat.” [luffa.info](https://luffa.info/) When done, you can use the sponges for bathing, washing dishes, and even as [industrial filters](https://www.britannica.com/plant/loofah). More Info: - https://youtu.be/4ioU11rQyd8 - https://youtu.be/oq4ZgAGd-JM

Green Energy Blair • 2 months ago • 80%

Edit: people were getting confused about which quote was for what, so I added dividers and titles to separate it all better. Sorry for the confusion.  ([Image Source](https://www.pavegen.com/blog/kinetic-pavements)) **Kinetic Tiles** Many years ago now, I was watching an NHK (a Japanese broadcaster) program about how kinetic energy was going to be utilized in the busiest stations in Japan. The theory was simple; as people walk over a mat, their steps would produce electricity to help power the station. In any other station it might not work, but in a station that typically has [1.57 million passengers per day](https://japanupclose.web-japan.org/techculture/c20220630_3.html), that is a lot of people power. Since then, there have been many companies attempting to utilize kinetic energy, with the biggest company likely being "[Pavegen](https://www.pavegen.com/blog/kinetic-pavements)." They have their system in certain city sidewalks, airports, and even under sports turfs. >"The downward force drives an energy-storing flywheel inside the tile, which spins to convert kinetic energy into electrical energy through electromagnetic induction. It’s like a generator — only instead of spinning a turbine with wind, water, or coal, it’s spinning a flywheel with footsteps." [Grist](https://grist.org/business-technology/these-tiles-harness-electricity-from-your-footsteps/) More Info On Kinetic Pavement: - https://youtu.be/VD15-2Uriyc - https://youtu.be/vnAwsEUOUxw  **Kinetic Shoes** If tiles are not unique enough for you, that same tech can be used in shoes.  ([Image Source](https://newatlas.com/energy-harvesting-shoes/41796/)) >"The researchers say that this method can produce a lot of watts relative to the surface area of the generator, with the proof-of-concept device generating around 10 watts per square meter in early experiments. They claim that theoretical estimates indicate up to 10 kW might be possible." [NewsAtlas](https://newatlas.com/energy-harvesting-shoes/41796/) More Info On Kinetic Shoes: - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNjc9tUs96Y&t=9s - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svK6Gv7oM6U  More work needs to be done to make kinetic energy more efficient, but there is just something fascinating to me about power generation that can fit seamlessly into our world without us noticing.

Green Energy Blair • 2 months ago • 100%

 > To ensure his plans were based on historic originals, Gareth purchased over 1,700 survey drawings of the Bourn Windmill in Cambridgeshire, approximated the measurements, and then reconstructed a quarter-size copy in his garden. >Gareth relied on his skills and education as a classical boat builder at the Falmouth Marine School, which also serves him at his day job repairing furniture. The windmill is built mainly of green oak and can rotate to be directed at the wind. He sewed the sails himself from a curtain he bought in a thrift store. >The mill’s generator produces 100 amps at 12 volts when spinning at its optimum speed. https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/man-builds-an-electricity-generating-windmill-in-his-own-garden/

Offgrid living Blair • 2 months ago • 100%

(Note before reading: I am aware it is very unlikely people on here can build one of these systems, so I am just posting it for those who find it interesting)  Evaporation of water from reservoirs and irrigation canals is a problem that many places struggle with today, but one desert solution was used approximately 3000 years ago. > “Throughout the arid regions of Iran, agricultural and permanent settlements are supported by the ancient qanat system of tapping alluvial aquifers at the heads of valleys and conducting the water along underground tunnels by gravity, often over many kilometres. The eleven qanats representing this system include rest areas for workers, water reservoirs and watermills. The traditional communal management system still in place allows equitable and sustainable water sharing and distribution."[unesco.org](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1506/)  To make them extra interesting, they could be paired with a wind-tower. This technology could cool a house through evaporative cooling; or even to keep ice from melting too quickly in the middle of a desert.   (Image Sources: [Image 1](https://hacking.earth/blog/cucumber-tomato-salad-fktgw) | [Image 2](https://www.irantravelers.org/kashan-yazd-transfer-tours/)) More Info: - https://youtu.be/8lS_ar5UpiU - https://youtu.be/Itr8I-zgepc

Solarpunk Urbanism Blair • 2 months ago • 100%

https://youtu.be/620omdSZzBs >“How do you cool a building without air conditioning? Using an approach called biomimicry, see how architect Mick Pearce harnessed the ingenuity of termites to design a natural cooling system for the largest commercial building in Zimbabwe.” Using the technology inspired by a termite mound, The Eastgate Centre in central Harare, Zimbabwe uses up to 35% less energy than other buildings.  

Solarpunk Urbanism Blair • 2 months ago • 91%

 Have you ever heard the saying “it takes a village to raise a child?” Well, where I live, most people do not know the name of their next door neighbor. This isolation can cause loneliness, but it is more than that. Having a community is helping people do jobs they can’t, it's lending tools, it's teaching someone something their parents never taught them, and more. Luckily, there is a solution that is becoming common in both co-housing and eco-villages around the world. They utilize common areas or community centers, as well as outdoor spaces(such as courtyards or rooftop gardens). While you still have your private home with your own kitchen, you also have these spaces which are open to everyone. Here are some ideas you might see in these common spaces: - Indoor play area. In some, the retired senior citizens who like to keep busy volunteer to watch children in these areas while parents are at work. - Dining room big enough to fit every person who lives there and guests. - Community Kitchen. People take turns cooking, or they have occasional dinners together. - Private office spaces (for work-from-home workers who still want to be around people). - Tiny libraries. - Outdoor play area. - Outdoor sitting spaces. - Community gardens and/or a greenhouse. **More Ideas:** - [Window awnings](https://slrpnk.net/post/11578966) which utilize [passive solar](https://slrpnk.net/post/11636738), so the sun is blocked in the summer but not the winter - A central courtyard for passive cooling. Examples: [Skywells](https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230712-how-ancient-skywells-are-keeping-chinese-homes-cool) (China), [Tsubo-niwa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsubo-niwa) (Japan). [Thevenin @beehaw.org](https://slrpnk.net/u/Thevenin@beehaw.org) adds that a retractable cover of some kind might be important to protect from wind pressure. - Better insulation for better temperature control, and sound proofing. - [Bird-safe windows](https://slrpnk.net/post/11660573) - Rainwater collection for watering plants (or, the more expensive option: for piping into toilets) - White roofs [for cooling in hot climates](https://slrpnk.net/post/11581379), dark roofs for warming in cold climates Recommended Video: - https://youtu.be/mguvTfAw4wk What else would improve apartment buildings?

Balcony Gardening Blair • 2 months ago • 93%

This one isn't for balconies, but it *is* for apartments, so I hope it makes sense that I am posting this here.   With window hydroponics, you take: - used water bottles - a pump kit (with tubing and joints) - a bucket of water - growing substrate - a hanging anchor kit - silicone steel tube - chain (for hanging) - tools (electric drill, plier, hole punch) ... and convert them into a tiny food garden that hangs by your window. This gives food options for those who live in apartment’s that might not have had the choice before. You'll of course need plants that do not get too big (such as dwarf tomato plants instead of full-sized). If your window does not get enough sunlight, you may also have to supplement that with grow lights and a plug timer. You do not need to buy an expensive kit. There are DIY sources everywhere, including [this video explaining](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXKfIASdSqM) to use a pool noodle to create a growing substrate(an option to save an old pool noodle from the trash) instead of rockwool or pebbles. I have not tried this myself, but thought I would share it in case it helps someone. More Info: - https://youtu.be/igWJ_8uq_y4 - https://www.instructables.com/DIY-Vertical-Window-Garden/

 > “Over 30,000 swift bricks—essentially a normal building brick with a hollow inside—have been sold in the country, and more than 10,000 homes have been built with swift bricks incorporated into the design.” [Article Link](https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/10000-bricks-with-built-in-bird-homes-installed-in-uk-homes-to-give-nest-holes-to-swifts/) This article is about a year old, so the number is probably higher now.

One thing all cities should enforce for future builds(especially for skyscrapers), is bird-protection on windows. In Canada, [16-42 million birds ](https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/avoiding-harm-migratory-birds/faq-bird-collisions-glass-windows.html)are killed by window strikes, and in the USA, that number goes up to [365 million-1 billion](https://abcbirds.org/blog/truth-about-birds-and-glass-collisions/). Sadly, one or two of those bird-shaped decals do not help, since the decals have to be no more than 2-inches apart. > “Window decals may help, but they must be placed no more than 2-4 inches apart in order to be effective. Birds will try to fly through larger gaps. This means that on large windows, many closely spaced decals may be necessary to deter bird collisions.” [Audubon](https://www.audubon.org/news/help-birds-avoid-deadly-collision#:~:text=Window%20decals%20may%20help%2C%20but,necessary%20to%20deter%20bird%20collisions.) Luckily, however, the fix for this window problem is easy. For the first example; there are bird-safe decorative window films and decals(they must go on the outside of the window). The most common design is made up of several small white dots, while others are more decorative.   (Image Credit: [Image 1](https://birdsafe.ca/window-options/) | [Image 2](https://www.decorativefilm.com/sx-bsft-trellis-bird-safety-film)) If decals will not work for you (they sometimes don’t last in cold climates), you can opt for permanent (and more expensive) window etchings.   (Image Credit: [Image 1](https://skydesign.com/product/skysafe-bird-friendly-glass/) | [Image 2](https://birdsafe.ca/window-options/)) Need an even less expensive option? You can make your own dots or designs using a Uni-Posca pen. The markings can be scraped off if needed. Just remember that the markings must be on the outside part of the window for them to work.  ([Image Credit](https://jemlovestodraw.co.uk/2020/05/08/experiments-with-window-displays/)) If more apartment complexes and skyscrapers used these or other solutions, we’d be a step closer to co-existing with nature.

 (  (Image Credit: [Image 1](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wildlife_Crossing_in_Banff_National_Park.jpg) | [Image 2](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kolu_%C3%B6kodukt_Tartu_maanteel_2021._aasta_septembris.jpg) ) Roads can cause major problems for wildlife, and not just from the danger of being truck by vehicles. With busy enough traffic, wildlife may avoid crossing at all, causing habitat fragmentation. In order to stitch habitats back together, wildlife overpasses, underpasses/tunnels, and viaducts are all used. Typically, overpasses [work better](https://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol14/iss2/art7/ES-2009-2957.pdf) than underpasses for most wildlife, since not all wildlife is comfortable traversing into a dark (sometimes loud with traffic vibrations) tunnel. In comparison, the overpasses are typically made to feel like a hill for wildlife; with soil, grass, and trees added. No matter what people build, however, it can help.   (Image Credit: [Image 1](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Toad_tunnel.jpg) |[ Image 2](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Barnes_Hedgehog_Highway_-_2023-01-21.jpg)) In most cases, the cost of building and maintaining these crossings end up being less than the cost of repairs, injuries, and cleanup that occurs when a vehicle strikes an animal.

Offgrid living Blair • 2 months ago • 100%

I understand that not everyone will have access to a stream/river with fish, but I thought people might find this interesting anyways. Do you have videos that stick with you? "[Through the Kitchen Window: A Town Living with Water [Harie, Shiga] ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rwxsjzjDhs)" is one that occasionally pops back in my mind. In Harie, Shiga(Japan), water canals run through much of the town, and the people there use it to develop a mutually beneficial relationship with fish. 🐟 Imagine a pool of water that people use for washing fruits, vegetables, and dishes. That same pool has carp that call it home, and the carp eat the scraps and keep the water crystal clear. This could be inside the home or outside, but it is constantly added to by natural spring water, and the water exits in to a canal. This system is called “Kabata,” and has been used for [over 300 years](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/298291064_The_KABATA_a_system_of_unique_water_utility_spaces_in_japan#:~:text=A%20Kabata%20is%20a%20manmade,indoors%20and%20some%20are%20outdoors.).   (Both images above are from [this website](http://ihcsacafe-en.ihcsa.or.jp/news/harie/)) That running water then heads to rice flats, which benefit from the natural fertilizers the fish provide. That water then heads to wetland area, where the water is cleaned by reeds and other vegetation before entering a lake. More Info: - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rwxsjzjDhs - https://youtu.be/THcKJpXwqVM

Offgrid living Blair • 2 months ago • 100%

Within Arizona(USA) is a beautiful cliff-dwelling built by the Sinagua people in 1100-1425 AD. Montezuma Castle (renamed to this by colonizers) has around 20 rooms, and is built using a method that today people call “passive solar building.”  >“In passive solar building design, windows, walls, and floors are made to collect, store, reflect, and distribute solar energy, in the form of heat in the winter and reject solar heat in the summer. This is called passive solar design because, unlike active solar heating systems, it does not involve the use of mechanical and electrical devices.” [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive_solar_building_design) For the cliff dwelling, that included a design that ensured the buildings were hit with the heat of the low-winter sun, but protected from the high-summer sun by overhang. It also made use of ventilation, small windows and doors (to reduce temperature loss), and more. This ancient knowledge is making a comeback in houses, but is really helping for greenhouses. Even in colder climates where temperatures can reach -40c(-40f), passive solar designs are enabling greenhouses to run all-year.  ([Image source](http://buildsowgrow.com/passive-solar-design/))  ([Image Source](https://atmosgreenhouse.com/blog/the-case-for-a-mostly-passive-solar-greenhouse)) **More Info:** - https://youtu.be/F2Pg3gY7wQ4 - https://youtu.be/8qtQgH7DQF0

Offgrid living Blair • 2 months ago • 100%

I know very few people in the world have access to hot springs, but I just thought people here might find this information as interesting as I do. **Japan:** **Cooking Eggs:** In some other places, hot-spring pools can become a neighborhood egg-cooking spot. In Japan, these eggs are called Onsen Tamago (温泉卵), and are slow-cooked in the natural spring water.  The result is a unique custard-like texture in the yoke, while the whites are soft. >“It is said to have originated in Onsen Towns in Beppu, Oita prefecture. It is said that the first Onsen Tamago was made over 300 years ago when a traveler left his eggs in a hot spring by accident and found them cooked when he returned." [MyFormosaFood](https://myformosafood.com/japanese/onsen-tamago-hot-spring-egg/#:~:text=It%20is%20said%20to%20have,them%20cooked%20when%20he%20returned.) More Info: - https://youtu.be/PBDNjOLPnkg  **Steam Cooking**  >“It is a cooking method using high-temperature steam heat gushing from hot springs, and it has been used in Beppu since the Edo period. Just put the ingredients in a basket, put them in a pot where steam of about 100 degrees called “Hell Steaming Kettle” and cover it.” | [Jigoku Mushi](https://jigokumushi.com/) At tables equipped with timers and hot-spring powered steam cookers, you can steam your own food.  **Heating Greenhouses:**  >“Hot springs are used to heat greenhouses for different types of fruit and vegetables. At Atagawa Spa on the Izu Peninsula, the [Atagawa Tropical & Alligator Garden](http://bananawani.jp/english/) cultivates tropical plants like banana trees and bougainvillea.” | [Nipponia](https://web-japan.org/nipponia/nipponia26/en/feature/feature08.html) By piping the heat into radiators, they can heat and humidify the greenhouses with no electricity.  **Iceland:** **Volcano Bread** Cooking rye bread with the help of a volcano has a long history in Iceland. All you had to do was dig a hole near a hot-spring, place the dough (which is in a container) in the hole, and burry it.  The boiling water will steam the dough to a dense but soft texture. Hopefully you remember to mark where the hole is, but if you did, you will have freshly cooked bread with no need of an oven. As an extra bonus, you can also cook some eggs when you are there. More info: - https://youtu.be/NXwuJlY3uy0