Babblemur asks on a recent post - what is the feasability of a North Central Ecotopia? Here is the outline of what the ecotopia would look like:

Winter heat - combine the traditional (native americans and early european settlers) with modern techology to come up with solutions: energy efficient housing (smaller houses, tightly sealed in winter); solar energy panels and wind farms to generate electric heat combined with traditional multi-use fire (heating and cooking); warm clothes and blankets (requiring furs, feathers, and potentially cotton production);

Food - assuming an end to food imports, to support current population levels there would need to be an increased reliance on fish (which requires mandating cleaning up the rivers and lakes - you can’t eat many of the fish in Wisconsin rivers and streams due to industrial and agricultural pollution) and game (which requires preserving and restoring traditional habitats for deer and other animals). Hunting and fishing are intigral to survival in this scenario. Large scale corporate farming is highly inefficent and would need to be eliminated. Smaller family or community farms would replace them - cows, swine and chicken are still sustainable - but only at levels to support families and small communities. All animal waste (manure) would have to be recycled for agricultural use. All pesticides and herbicides would have to be banned to protect the water and to keep food chemical free.

Communities - the smaller the better. Mixed communities that can support both independent food and energy production would be the goal. Remember - no gas = no cars and trucks. Importing goods would be a luxury - locally produced materials would be the most efficient and affordable. Every house or habitation should be within walking distance of a school, hospital or doctor, source of food, and source of energy.

Energy - mentioned above solar energy panels and wind farms, add to that water generated electricity through watermills and steam heat through corncob / pellet stoves. Note this still requires an electrical grid and the upkeep this requires.

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I am wondering what are some things that we could possibly begin to do that would potentially lead to a more ecotopiash society.