Scientists from Swansea University have developed a new tool to help identify optimal photovoltaic (PV) materials capable of maximizing crop growth while generating solar power. In a recent study published in Solar RRL, academics from the University's Department of Physics have been exploring the effect of semi-transparent PV materials placed over crops – an
There are a bunch of books titled or subtitled "Survival Gardening" or generally about gardening to survive in difficult times, and they all focus, slightly differently on the idea of garden to get through a crisis. [ed note: Read all the way through to find out which one is Sharon's favorite! - Moriarty] A salad
In 27 years’ time, society as we know it will have collapsed. Food will be extremely limited. Lawlessness will have taken over the land. Gangs will roam the countryside scavenging for resources like food, water and fuel. This breakdown won’t be sudden. It will happen over a period of months. It might even have already
In 2018, one study on climate change broke ranks by integrating a range of sources to conclude that the situation was far worse than the official consensus was letting on. It went so far as to warn about widespread societal collapse. A banker for almost 30 years, it troubled me enough to give up my
As talk about the threat of nuclear war is being heard against the backdrop of the Ukraine war—and with continuing fears about climate change and economic turmoil—people are beginning to wonder how they can prepare for the worst. Building Collapse (Image: F. Anzola/Flickr) Concerns about a nuclear "Armageddon" or global food shortages may
David Anderson first started worrying about shortages around the time of the Brexit referendum. After reading reports that supermarkets could face disruption, he thought it would be sensible to have some supplies set aside for emergencies. My first seedlings appear (Image: T. Larkum) He also realised he
The economic impacts of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are being felt around the world. This is especially true in the energy and food markets whose supply chains depend on both countries. The crisis has reinvigorated a long-running debate about land use for solar farms, increasingly polarised around energy versus food security. Gas provides 40%
“Four Meals From Anarchy” – We Must Grow More Food Locally. A friend sent me a link to this video interview of Michael Raw, an agricultural consultant, about the fragility of Britain’s food supply, which frankly shocked me. The “four meals from anarchy” is a quote to MI5, meaning that Britain could descend very rapidly indeed to large-scale
Anyone concerned with sustainable living will at some point sooner or later come across the concept of permaculture. Permaculture is notoriously difficult to define, but the term is a portmanteau of the words ‘permanent,’ and ‘agriculture,’ although it was later expanded to include ‘culture,’ as it encompasses much more than just agriculture. Permaculture was
We don't just drive or heat with fossil fuels—we are eating them. Oil and gas prices are at record levels, and this is going to have a big impact on our diet in very short order because we don't just drive or heat with fossil fuels—we are eating them. Traditional US Homestead -