Andrea's Everything Eco Exploration

So my family has a property in the Nicola Valley in British Columbia, and it's basically off the grid. we only have a large propane tank that powers the lights the stove and the fridge. We have running water using a gravity system and we heat water on the stove. We have a pot belly stove to warm the cabin up, and that's  all. I really love it up there because it's an escape from the constant consumption of city life. We actually have two plots of property, but only one is developed. My dream is to build an eco-home on the property, with wind turbines and solar panels, because up  there it is either sunny or windy. It could be sourced from nearby resources, perhaps naturally felled trees from the forest  on the other side of the dirt road. I just found this great article on how to make your own wind turbine! I thinking the next summer or two I'll get all the skilled men in my life to help put it together, and start making a little dream home! It could have a greenhous

I found this incredible video on upworthy.com which really explains the process and the problems with fracking. I suggest you take a look if you've ever wondered what fracking really is. The video tells us that the hydraulic fluid used is full of chemicals that energy companies don't need to disclose on the basis of trade secrets. And this fluid is sent gushing into newly fractured rock, does it's job then get's sucked out. Fine, if only they did something responsible with that liquid after, since it contains so much water and so much hazardous materials.  But they stick it back in the ground! Sending it down into bedrock that is becoming increasingly compromised by the fine fissures from fracking. We don't know what will happen to these materials, if they will mingle with ground water, if they will travel to areas where residential wells have been constructed. Over time contamination will find its way through every little crack. This does not bode well.