Interest in self sufficient living is growing as people see the effects of pollution, squandering of natural resources, and the economic benefits for both individuals and families in learning to live in self sustaining ways. In this article, we’ll consider first a definition of self sufficient living, and then take a look at important considerations for those who want to pursue that way of life.

A Definition… Self sufficient living refers to depending on renewable resources for the needs of everyday life. This means choosing to utilize those resources as opposed to depending upon municipal systems for our power, water and fuel needs. It also involves learning to grow our own food, along with preserving and storing that food. As people become more and more accustomed to sustainable living, many also learn how to make a variety of the items they use everyday – like soap, clothing, etc..

The hectic pace many people live is causing them to look for a better way. For many, that better way is found in self sufficient living. They’re concerned about their health – both physical and emotional. Others are concerned about being prepared for the unknown – things like natural or even man made disasters.

What’s Involved – Let’s look at some important considerations to make for those interested in adopting a more self sufficient way of life.

Power – There are several solutions available for helping people to develop alternative energy systems which are independent of the power grid. While many are satisfied with a generator and battery bank for power, this would be the least desirable as it still requires a dependence on fossil fuels. On the other hand, advances in solar power technology offer a better, more sustainable, and low maintenance alternative. It does require an up-front investment starting at around $10,000 for smaller systems, but this will of course pay back over time. Two other alternatives for generating your own electricity are wind and micro-hydro (water) systems.

Another basic necessity of life is water. Again, most people rely on a community water source. Being self sufficient means you’ll establish a water source you can more predictably rely upon, like a well or spring. When doing this, keep in mind what your needs might be, including not only domestic home use, but also agricultural irrigation. For many people, such considerations necessitate having your own land where you can make such developments. We’ll get to that in a moment.

Water – Self sufficient water systems include wells, springs, and some even use water from other sources like streams or creeks and utilize filtration systems for purification. If you are interested in the latter, make sure you are aware of legal requirements pertaining to use of surface water in your area as this may be regulated. The importance of having your own water system is generally underestimated by most people until they find themselves in a crisis without enough water even for drinking, let alone other domestic needs. Another important consideration is having an adequate water supply for agriculture, which can require more water volume than what is needed for domestic use. There may not be much a person can do about this particular issue unless they own their own property and are in a setting where such options are available to them. In most cases, this means living in a more rural setting where one has the freedom to drill a well or develop other water sources. This leads to the final consideration covered in this article.

Homesteading – There’s no way around the fact that urban living is the least friendly to becoming more self sufficient. The topic of finding country property is one we’ll take up in another article, but keep in mind this can be done with the proper planning and persistence. For sure, rural living is the most ideal situation for becoming more independent.

Conclusion – Self sufficient living is within the reach of most individuals and families if they’re willing to invest the time and energy into making it happen. Furthermore, such a way of life positions people to be better equipped to not only take care of themselves in times of need, but also to be of help to others. In this sense, it is truly a responsible way to live, and thus a noble pursuit.

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With the ever increasing oil and gas prices, the effects of greenhouse gases increasing the rate of global warming, countries around the world have realized the necessity of adopting environmentally friendly energy practices. Many governments are now promoting and implementing the use of non-polluting renewable energy resources. One such energy program is Feed-In Tariffs.

A Feed In Tariff program is a rate that consumers and businesses pay for electricity which is returned to the electricity grid from a renewable energy source such as solar energy, hydro energy, and wind turbine energy. The purpose of the tariff is to increase the use of renewable and clean energy sources. A power company will buy energy produced from renewable energy sources at rates established by the government. The rates tend to vary among different governments. Currently, there are feed-in tariff regulations for renewable energy in more than 40 countries.

There are many benefits of using feed-in tariff programs. There is a guaranteed rate payment for all electricity that is produced. There is also a guaranteed price for any electricity conveyed onto the electricity grid. As well, feed-in tariff programs encourage the development and implementation of renewable energy sources which reduces dependence on oil and other polluting energy sources. Less green gases are being emitted in the atmosphere which lessens the impact of climate change. It also helps a community secure their own supply of energy such as when they use hydro, solar, or wind, to power homes and businesses. As well, it reduces dependence on unfriendly oil producing countries which helps with improving global and domestic security.

Moving to renewable and environmentally friendly energy sources will also help to create a new ‘green’ industry, which in turn will create millions of jobs. As well, there is more technology driven innovations which is beneficial to everyone. During these difficult economic times, a boost to the economy is very much needed. The amount of money you can save will depend on the amount of electricity that you produce and how you use this electricity in your home or business. For instance, if you can minimize your electricity consumption during the day, you will save a lot of money. By creating an environmentally sustainable as well as a job sustainable future, we are ensuring a bright and healthy future for our children.

The Feed-in Tariff system has proven to be an effective ‘green energy’ program with more countries now implementing the program. Canada, United States, Australia, Germany, Denmark, and Spain are a few of the major countries embracing feed-in tariffs. Although the criteria and measures used in the programs can vary, they are all having a positive impact when it comes to energy conservation, reducing the emission of green house gases, and increasing the use of renewable energy sources. Feed-In Tariffs have been connected with the increased production and use of solar power and wind turbine power. With so much concern about the state of the planet and its natural resources, it is expected that more Feed-In Tariffs programs are going to be established in many more countries around the world. It will become an essential component of slowing climate change and making the planet much healthier.

The Feed in Tariff program will provide environmentally friendly sources for energy. In order to promote a greener society, alternative energy (wind) should also be considered.