socialmedian: Guardians of the past uncover green lessons for the present

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Guardians of the past uncover green lessons for the present

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Oct 31, 2008

Summary

Stately homes and ancient barns may creak and leak, but their locally sourced, sustainable technology is praised in a report published yesterday as a model for tackling climate change.

Traditional coppicing and a device to supply power to the entire Yorkshire Dales village of Grassington are leading a return to green values by English Heritage, the National Trust and other guardians of the past.

Studying the systems of country estates, which were often self-supporting until the industrial revolution, has triggered modern versions, backed by new technology and energy-saving equipment.

"We need to relearn the old wisdom of self-sufficiency and sustainability," said Maddy Jago, chair of the Yorkshire and Humber Historic Environment Forum, which is restoring the Dales hydroelectric plant, last used in 1946. Two Archimedes screws - historically used for pumping water upwards - will act as turbines to produce enough power for 100 local homes. "This project alone will help the future of an important historic building, and contribute to reducing greenhouse gases and rel

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Comments (1)

Rendt,

Oct 31, 2008

Looking back at the past can be very useful. Without giving some mystic significance to tradition and indigenous aptitudes, it is enough to know that solutions from times - and places - where more is done with less are always worth learning from.