As temperatures continue to rise, so do electricity bills. Earth Homes utilize passive heating and cooling methods to reduce energy costs as well as the need to burn fossil fuels. Earth Homes not only reduce energy usage, but also reduce waste in the process of construction. Earth Homes focus on using recycled and natural materials to minimize waste and maximize renewable materials. This reduces the amount of waste that may end up in a landfill or even polluting waterways. This method of low impact development also reduces the need for imported material and relies on using locally sourced materials, thus reducing carbon emissions.
Earth Homes provides solutions to climate related issues by increasing efficiency in design and building for long-term resilience. Many Earth homes are designed with the intentions of being completely off-grid and providing their own energy, water, and even food. This drastically reduces personal carbon footprints and increases resilience, especially in natural hazard scenarios when resources are scarce.
Earthships, like the one features in the picture, are primarily built with discarded materials such as tires, glass bottles, and aluminum cans. Islands which are vulnerable to natural hazards also often have garbage disposal issues. Earthships provide a solution to reduce the accumulation of trash as well as provide durable structures that can withstand intense winds and can ensure that the inhabitants have water and electricity after a storm.