PowerSwitch

The problem is, how do you plan the downsizing of a whole nation? And convince the whole nation that it is not just necessary but inevitable. This is the problem we face and I've been trying to do it locally for some time now. I have watched both episodes and feel that they are all missing the poin...

Supermarkets give us cheap food by: *Sourcing and/or processing overseas where labour is cheaper *encouraging the factory farming of animals *making farmers work harder to produce more but for less income (hundreds of British farmers sell up every year because they cannot earn an income from produci...

Fred Pearce's new book 'Peoplequake' is worth a read. Basically it explains that the Earth could adequately meet the needs of a bigger population, as long as natural resources are shared more equally, and that the problems caused by overpopulation can be solved if we tackle over-consumption by the r...

I don't agree that paying for gas and electricty by monthly direct debit encourages people to use more or not think about how much they're using. I like to try to reduce our monthly direct debit amount by using less gas and electricity. If we had to put coins in a meter i.e. pay up front and then pa...

I'm impressed that you were in a pub with people who accepted the reality of our changing future. Even my husband, who has been relentlessly educated (by me!) about dwindling fossil fuels, climate change, and a continuing economic crash is having difficulty accepting that the future he expected is b...

We moved to a smaller (1970's) house from a big 3 storey victorian house and I have never regretted giving up all that space - there is now less cleaning, less heating, less storage space so less clutter and it's just generally easier. Although I can't imagine living in a micro house (how would we c...

If you want to bulk buy try Suma.

I would also recommend Suma - they are a wholefood wholesaler (and a co-operative) and will deliver to anyone - minimum order £250.

I use them to buy most of my food anyway - much easier than going to supermarkets as they deliver to your door.

We have got a Gelert Magnesium Block Flint Fire Lighter which works well. We keep it in a little tin with some tinder.

We also keep a small stock of water-proof matches and zip firelighters.

I have been stockpiling food for about 3 years now, and by trial and error, have worked out the best way to do it for me and my family. I don’t consider my stockpile separate from my everyday food supplies – there is just rather more of it than most people would expect! I only buy things that I know...