Garden[/caption]Chase Roberts---Progressing towards a more self-sustainable lifestyle is easier than most people imagine. From finding ways to provide food for yourself, to relying on only self-propelled forms of transportation, there are many steps you can take to eschew your dependence on others around you and on non-renewable resources. If you are looking to move towards self-sustainability, here are a few ways you can modify your life to rely on yourself and make the world a better place.
Start a Garden
This is the biggest step you can take towards self-sustainability. Growing your own food for survival will make you less independent on your society, and will give a greater attachment to the land at your feet.
If your backyard is large enough, start with a few easy plants to tend to, such as potatoes, lettuce, spinach, and tomatoes. These are the easiest to manage during the summer months, and can yield a large amount of produce for your table. If you have a larger space, you can either continue to harvest these plants, or branch out to others to vary your collection.
Raise Chickens
If you are truly committed to a sustainable lifestyle, consider raising chickens that can be housed in a coop next to your newly planted garden. They can provide a number of eggs each week, and can be used for meat as well, if you are up to the task of butchering them yourself.
Raising chickens, though, requires a well built coop in your backyard, as well as an in depth knowledge on how to care for fowl. Educate yourself on necessary procedures before you bring home any chicks.
Use Solar Energy
The popularity of solar energy has exploded in the past decade, and for good reason: while it is a highly sustainable way to provide energy to your home, it also brings a high return on investment over the course of a lifetime.
Look into installing solar panels on the roof of your home. While not all roofs are equipped to handle panels, speaking with your current electric company can tell you all you need to know about the process. And if you are lucky, your roof will get enough sunlight each day to offset the entire cost of your power bill every month.
Ride a Bicycle
Realistically, you will have to leave your home at some point in time. Whether you are commuting to work, going to pick up your first batch of chicks for your coop, traveling to meet a representative for a solar audit, or simply visiting your relatives across town, you will eventually find yourself needing a form of transportation.
But instead of relying on an automobile, which is the exact antithesis of a self-sustainable lifestyle, hop on your trusty bicycle and pedal to wherever you need to go. It is completely human-powered, and requires nothing but the energy you put into it and the occasional tune-up.
If you are worried about carrying capacity on a bicycle, try using a backpack, or even install panniers on the side of your bike--or you can even put stuff in a trailer towed behind you. And if it still doesn't fit, take two trips--your commitment to a sustainable life is worth the extra time.
Saving the World
Moving towards a self-sustainable life is a great way to prove your independence in the world. Try these simple steps to rely on yourself as you help give back to the world beneath your feet.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This article was submitted by Chase Roberts, eco-friendly home & garden expert. Chase is a big advocate for eco-friendly homes and sustainable living in general,. which includes supporting localized businesses and services.
