By: Amanda Froelich,
In effort to lower energy costs, regain privacy, and reduce the man-made impact currently causing devastation to the environment, many individuals are seeking to go “off grid”. This venture seems like it would gather applause from the government and fellow citizens – as it’s been shown the average American consumes the amount of resources necessary to be supplied by three Earths – but reception of such a choice has been shown to be completely opposite.
The modern economic system runs off co-dependency of consumer and corporation, and it seems any shift of resource to limit that relationship sparks repercussion from the government. Just last year, Texas state brought several SWAT teams to a sustainable community and threatened to shut it down. Each one of the community members were initially handcuffed at gunpoint. The “Garden of Eden Community” is completely self-sustainable, yet was violently threatened for choosing to example a “high vibing” lifestyle that is different from modern trend.
Credit: offgridnews.com
Another shocking example of citizens being reprimanded for sustainability involves Robin Speronis and her “off grid” home in Florida. A few weeks ago, her home completely independent of the city’s water and electrical system was ruled against. Officials cited the International Property Maintenance Code, which mandates that homes must be connected to an electricity grid and a running water source.
This ruling is like saying a citizens’ dependency on corporations isn’t even a choice. Robin has been working on living without most modern day utilities for a while, though. For the last year and a half, the self-sufficient woman has lived using solar energy, a propane camping stove, and rain water.
In the end, Speronis was found “not guilty” for not having a proper sewer or electrical system, but was found “guilty” for not being hooked up to an approved water supply.
According to George Noory (as first stated on Collective Evolution), “off-grid living” means“living independently, mainly living independently of the utility companies. Providing your own power. It does not mean living in the stone age, it’s not about bush craft. It’s about generating your own power, your own water, dealing with your own waste. Probably as part of a community, not living on your own like a hermit. It’s also about being more self-reliant and being less dependent on the system. Perhaps realizing that the system isn’t really protecting us anymore, and we have to look after ourselves.”
While the current system functions from the co-dependency of consumer-corporation, it will inevitably need to change to support a growing population and the dwindling lack of resources available. Mandating “off grid” living illegal only stunts the growth possible for the human race and future civilizations. But adopting sustainable living methods doesn’t mean all will have to give up modern amenities, as high-tech, hygienic, and green lifestyles can still be the norm. This is especially so if clean energy (free energy, anyone?) is allowed to be utilized and implemented.
Mankind has unlimited potential, and now, more resource than ever before to shift into a new age of sustainability, conscious communication, and equality. But citizens must continue to ask and stand up for their rights – starting by choosing to adopt as sustainable practices as possible in the present.
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