) Apart from the wide variety of topics on Humanetainit, we focus especially on our strawbale dome project. In short: it's a super insulated dome shaped home. We have started a experimental dome of 7 metres in diameter, insulated with a layer of 35 centimetres of strawbales. The idea is to make a residential dome based on this smaller dome. We start with a floor area of 30 square metres, while the big version will have 150 square metres! To make sure no big structural or practical problem will occur, we decided to make a small one first. Read about the things you need to know before you start building one yourself and read about our experiences during the building process.
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 Bill Bryson is probably best known for his book "A Short History of Nearly Everything". "A walk in the woods" is another book well worth reading. He and his old friend Stephen Katz attempt to hike the approximately 2100 miles of track through the United states. The funny thing is Bill Bryson really hasn't got a clue what's awaiting him. And taking the overweight junk food eating and smoking Katz with him seems to be not the wisest choice. Both being the product of the consumption addicted America, it's fascinating to see how they experience being in the wilderness. Katz doesn't seem to have much appreciation for the nature around them en surely doesn't know much about the threats the ecosystems along the Apalachian trail have to face. Nevertheless, he confronts his out of shape body with this ordeal, with the intention of finishing the AT. Bill Bryson also has a hard time hiking all these weeks under harsh conditions and the constant fear of bears, the possibility to perish in the woods or catch one of the many diseases which are spread by rodents and ticks. Yes, well, the book can be depressing at times, but being aware of the problems we are faced with is important too. Fortunately the book is not deprived of humour and a dose of self-mockery, which can be a relief after reading about, for example, the charcoal mine which was ignited by accident in 1962 and is still burning. Or the percentage of ancient woods which has been cut down in the last century. Only thing that bothers me, is that Katz left stuff behind because his backpack was too heavy. This happens twice, so twice he littered the wilderness which should be cared for instead. He also leaves his burned cigarettes behind... Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book a lot and learned some things in the process.
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Fergus Drennan recognizes the abundance of food in nature. He knows all about the wide variety of edible sources of nature and also how to make a good meal of it. Since he does not wish to kill animals, he is a vegetarian. With the exception of fresh roadkill, that is. In Britain alone more than two million meals could be served made from roadkill, illustrating the alarming amount of badgers, birds, foxes and other animals are killed annually in traffic. |
) Picture: source unknown The picture alongside gives an impression of the development of the environment if the human impact should disappear overnight. It also gives an insight in the current impact humanity has on the environment worldwide. |
 The Strawcastle in Veenhuizen, the Netherlands. Picture by D. Siepman In Veenhuizen, in the north of the Netherlands, a theatre has been erected which focuses on agricultural and rural related subjects. It opened in September 2005. Since then seven plays premiered here, several debates were held and many picnicks.
Visit their site for more information, an English version is available. |
