Category Archives: Tools and technology

American Odyssey Part 2: Permaculture in the Pacific North West

Posted on 26 August 2011 by Graham

Living mushrooms for sale in the Ferry Terminal Building, San Francisco: After two weeks of driving it was a relief to bring the car back and get onto the train to Seattle. Amtrak’s Coastal Starlight is considered one of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Forest Gardening, Permaculture, Tools and technology | 1 Comment

Stoves

Posted on 18 August 2010 by Graham

I love stoves, and we recently made a simple rocket stove on the Introduction to Permaculture course at Carraig Dulra in Wicklow. Above: rocket stove (foreground) and Storm Kettle behind This was made out of a Feta cheese tin from … Continue reading →

Posted in Permaculture, Tools and technology | 4 Comments

Practical Permaculture in Wicklow July 31st- Aug 1st

Posted on 6 July 2010 by Graham

I will be teaching on a 2-day course in practical permaculture at Carraig Dulra, Co. Wicklow, July 31st and August 1st, with Suzie Cahn. The first day will include charcoal making (a potential business opportunity), biochar (which improves soil while … Continue reading →

Posted in Courses, Forest Gardening, Permaculture, Tools and technology | 1 Comment

Humble Homes, Simple Shacks

Posted on 7 April 2010 by Graham

Book Review: Humble Homes, Simple Shacks, Cozy Cottages, Ramshackle Retreats, Funky Forts by Derek “Deek” Diedricksen After seeing a short film by Deek Diedricksen linked on Energy Bulletin, which demonstrates his ultra-tiny dwelling called the Hickshaw, I was inspired to … Continue reading →

Posted in Green Building, Kinsale, Permaculture, Tools and technology | Leave a comment

Whole Earth Discipline

Posted on 22 March 2010 by Graham

Book Review: Whole Earth Discipline An Ecopragmatist Manifesto by Stewart Brand Atlantic Books 2009 316pp “Civilization is at risk, but civilization is the problem”. Stewart Brand is one of the iconic founders of the environmental movement, an original old hippy … Continue reading →

Posted in book review, climate change, collapse, community, Environment, Human Ecology, Population, Renewable Energy, Science and Rationaltiy, Tools and technology | 21 Comments

Solar Power on the Shortest Day

Posted on 22 December 2009 by Graham

It is now exactly 6 months since I set up my 600watt at Derryduff. Having now reached the shortest days of the year I am in a position to evaluate its performance, and I can say it has served me … Continue reading →

Posted in Kinsale, Permaculture, Renewable Energy, Tools and technology | Leave a comment

Book Review: The Long Descent

Posted on 11 December 2008 by Graham

The Long Descent- A Users Guide to the End of the Industrial Age John Michael Greer New Society Publishers 2008 John Michael Greer has written a fascinating and engaging, but also contradictory and perplexing account of how he sees the … Continue reading →

Posted in book review, collapse, consciousness, Human Ecology, Overshoot, Peak Oil, Science and Rationaltiy, Tools and technology | 12 Comments

Charcoal Making at Manch

Posted on 8 June 2008 by Graham

I have recently been experimenting with some simple charcoal making in an oil drum. I did a couple of demonstrations a few weeks ago for first a Biodiversity day and second the Slow Food “Munch at the Manch” events at … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Renewable Energy, Tools and technology | 4 Comments