did you hear the one about Garbage Warrior? No fooling! An actual man who became the topic of a documentary by British filmmaker Oliver Hodge titled (big shock here) Garbage Warrior.
After studying architecture, Michael Reynolds went to New Mexico to begin building Earthships (and they do look just like a science fiction movie version of the future)–solar homes made of natural and recycled materials designed to exist off the grid with little to no utility bills. This last bit really called to Enviro-Girl’s heart because one day she hopes to live off the grid–at least off the power grid. Reynold’s designs are known as Biotecture–buildings designed for sustainability. These structures are something else–solar and wind power, heat and cool them; they harvest water; they treat sewage; and they produce food. Apparently the only thing they don’t do is self-clean.
Well, sure the guy’s doing good things for the planet, but is he a warrior? He has taken on politicians, city authorities, and legislators for the right to create a sustainable living test site. Fed up with spending more time talking and less time acting, Reynolds has moved his efforts overseas–first to aid tsunami victims in India’s Andaman Islands and most recently Bonaire, Caribbean. His work also includes making affordable Volkshomes.
The “Green Revolution” transcends recycling newspapers and aluminum and driving a hybrid for this man. He’s redesigning housing as we understand it–and even if it’s not exactly to Enviro-Girl’s taste, she has to admire his efforts and his politics! Check out the movie or the website–Michael Reynolds is an Eco-Warrior thinking outside the box and designing what might well become the House of the Future.
I’ve read about the Garbage Warrior elsewhere and agree that, while his architectural style isn’t my taste, I applaud him for what he’s accomplishing.
Our green oak chap was berating us for not planning greener energy – we thought Ground source heat pump from open source, heat recovery ventilation, solar panels, pv panels WERE green – I felt badly that we weren’t making the grade – until he confided in me that he hadn’t had a bath for three days… because it had been overcast – and his solar panels hadn’t made any hot water – YUK YUK YUK – that’s what the smell was!
I saw this film today. Very inspiring guy, a true visionary!