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Ecological Literacy
Story
Being prepared for chaotic future
By Dan Robinson
I was raised mainly on farms in N, CA, the first, 10 miles on horseback from the nearest town, no electricity, where I learned what it means to be 'close to nature'. Coming out of the depression, we moved several times, so I never got that attached to any community and learned to think for myself, for better and worse. I've had several jobs, mainly as chemical technician, and now consider myself a retired 'generalist', mostly into science and engineering.
I'm finished earning a living, but not with the real accomplishments of helping the world, though it turns out it's been mostly in what I avoid doing. I get along fine, and make contributions, on about $1000/mo of various benefits. I haven't owned a car for about 15 years, but now a 2nd-hand bike, sometimes for long-distance trips, though I sometimes drive rentals. I live in a studio apartment, which is more than I need and looks more like a shop than living quarters, where I share heat and external insulation with other tenants. Except for a few coldest days in winter, I wear warm clothes instead of turning on heat. Most of my clothes and other possessions are 2nd hand. Need I mention I have only CFL lights? I'd like to be using LED's. One doesn't need to light a room to read a book or a computer screen.
Since I doubt we're going to agree on a large scale to do anything about climate change or other symptoms of overpopulation in time, I'm studying, hopefully teaching, wilderness survival techniques, and working on various engineering projects like designing a pedal-powered generator, ideally from bike and other 2nd hand parts, maybe to replace many exercise machines that only generate heat.
Photo credit: davidliong06/flickr
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