Sustainability...

I'll be upfront.  I think the whole global warming thing is a load of bollocks.  Yes, the climate is changing, no one disputes that, but it's also been doing that forever.  A trip to Céide Fields in Mayo - also known as the world's most boring museum - will tell you that 10,000 years ago Ireland had a tropical climate.  It's a cyclical thing.  I don't believe that energy saving light bulbs and hybrid cars and fucking paying someone to neutralise your emissions is going to help anything. 

The latter really pisses me off.  Whoever came up with the idea is an entrepreneurial genius.  People are actually forking over money to these people who supposedly plant trees to counteract your plane trip.  I think people buying into that are pretty stupid, but it's their money, so what do I care?  When I start caring is when the government starts doing it with my tax money!  But I digress...

You can argue away with me on this one, but ultimately I think the global warming movement is tantamount to right-wing fundamentalism.  I'm completely with Michael Crichton on this one and I ain't changing my mind.  So there.  Click here to read his much more researched and eloquent position and save your breath yelling in the comments.

So why am I blathering on about this?  Well, you needed a bit of background.  I don't want to be considered some weird eco-hippy.  Global warming aside, I am a strong proponent of living sustainably.  It is a big dream of mine to someday be able to produce and grow my own produce and even rear my own meat.  I would like to produce my own power, recycle and compost my output and generally live "the good life."  And so it with awe, admiration and a profound respect that I follow Dan and Rebecca's journey to live a sustainable life.  It's absolutely fascinating stuff and I anxiously await updates on their various projects, the most recent being hatching Easter chicks.  Judging by their comments, I don't think I'm alone in that dream either. 

Unfortunately financially, a small holding is not an option now or at any time in the near future.  And himself thinks I'm on crack.  In my hippy days I really wanted to join a commune in Tennessee.  I love the idea of living in a community where everyone has the same goals and ideals, although I couldn't deal with the vegetarianism thing!  It was with great surprise then that I recently discovered The Village, a planned "eco-village" in Tipperary.   It is such a cool idea that to be honest, I am a bit gobsmacked.   From what I gather, it's going to be a contemporary eco-friendly village with living space and community features such as weekly markets, farmland, allotments, playgrounds, a town park and river walk.   It sounds incredible.  And it's not all some idealistic drivel either, it's actually happening and building will start this month.  A site averages €81,000 and then you have to build.  I would so love to do this.  We've been renting since moving back to Ireland and effectively throwing away a third of our income each year.  A village like this would allow me to live out aspects of my dream, but maintain the sense of normality the husband would need. 

Imaging bringing up children in an environment like that?  Not only would they learn respect for their environment, but they would be able to actively participate in a sustainable life.  With allotment space they could grow produce and with the farm space they could help rear animals, all in a community atmosphere.  It's also just an hour away, so himself could commute.  Defeats the point?  Nah, did you skip my global warming disclaimer above? 

So how does one convince one's husband and one's bank that this is a great idea?  There's a €15,000 deposit and obviously payment for the site and of course the build.  Dealing with eco-friendly building is likely to be pricey as builders might not be familiar with the techniques required.  The husband has very bizarre and contemporary ideas about design which makes things even more complicated.  And then there's the bank.  Getting approved for a mortgage in this country is hard, even harder when it involves a build and bridging loan.  I should know, I used to work for the bank.  Doesn't matter that you've faithfully forked over €1200 to a landlord for 3 years and can thus afford the lower mortgage payment, that is something lost on banks.  Then you have the question of market stability.  Himself does not want to buy in Ireland, as he hopes to eventually go back to the States, but I don't see the logic of throwing our money away on rent. 

What would you do?  Buy a normal house, try for the semi-dream environment or keep renting?

Comments

[Devin]

Go for it..the dream that is.You'll be dead long enough and recent scares aside you should be living your best life now.

The bank might say no and that will be that but you won't know until you try.

[KevanB]

Go for it. Or at least work out if you can afford it. A handy tool to do this, especially if you have excel spreadsheets on the machine you are waiting for from Dell, is this one. http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/Budget-planning

The house you build in the village will be of better value than a a semi d anywhere if only in terms of space for the family.

[Thriftcriminal]

Right there with you on the dream: http://thriftcriminal.org/?p=27.

As for global warming, I'm on the fence there, my impetus is more resource driven: rapidly increasing cost of energy.

Thanks for that link, here's another back for you: www.transitionculture.org
Worth a visit. Sustainable building? Ben law did it pretty cheaply: http://www.ben-law.co.uk/ also at http://www.channel4.com/4homes/ontv/grand-designs/houses/S/sussex_woodman.html