My husband and I recently watched a television documentary about a couple who set out to live off the grid. The whole thing had us shaking our heads in disbelief throughout the program.

They were going on about how much they would save in future years on their electric bills, but it was evident that they were continuing their urban-focused lifestyle, for his career and their children’s dancing and soccer dates at least. What they would save in electricity they would more than make up in transportation costs, gasoline and more than one vehicle and all the rest. How green is it to have a  cabin kit helicoptered in because you didn’t finish the house you started before winter?

I could rant on about that show but I just want to use it as a springboard for thinking about what really constitutes ecological living.  Of course, it is different for each of us with our particular situations. Someone who really lives off the grid in a remote spot, only coming into town for weekly trips or rarer, can be living in a very green way. For most of us, urban dwelling is actually more conserving of energy. I have friends who have lived for years in cities without cars, and I have more friends who do have cars but use them sparingly.

If you want to know more about living off the grid, take a look at the website of Home Power Magazine.