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Action, New Energy
The Furutates house is powered by solar energy, water flows from a mountain spring, and the winds and natural sunlight are utilized to create a comfortable environment inside. 99.12.08/ Temperature: 5C/ Weather: Partly cloudy/ Wind Direction: W
Start: Yasuda 37 56 58 N 139 20 46 E
Destination: Kamo City 37 46 12 N 139 12 55 E
Distance Traveled: 26.5 kmIf you were to build a house which utilized clean energy, what would you choose? Hydroelectric (water), solar(sun), wind or some other form of energy? The Furutates, friends of mine who offered to let me stay the evening, live in a house that is designed to make clever use of its natural surroundings and of natural energy. Their house as well as lifestyle may have some hints for us in our search for clever ways of living.
As the forecast called for a ninety-percent chance of blizzard like conditions, it was a relief to begin walking in the cool, dry air. The sun shined so brightly and warm all of your messages to me sending good fortune, good health and good weather must be working.
By making a table irori (Japanese fire place) in addition to their wood stove, the Furutates have brought the snap, crackle, and pop of fires into their home. First arriving at the Furutates' house, the large living room was slightly cool. Heat spread slowly throughout the room from the wood stove. Floorboards gradually warmed as their Korean style floor heating kicked in. All of their heat is created from firewood. All of the house's electricity is solar. Their water comes from a mountain spring. In their living room one can feel the breeze descending from the mountains. At night one can see the stars in the Nigata sky through windows in the ceiling. The house was designed to make use of its natural surroundings.
Dim lighting is one way to conserve energy. The Furutates sit in front of their wood stove. This one stove heats an entire house! As we sat speaking to one another a loud pop from the fire echoed throughout the room. This "hazeru" or popping sound is one that is seldom heard anymore in Japanese homes, so seldom that the word "hazeru" is being forgotten. The Furutate home is one which brings this word back to life.
The Furutates originally lived in Nigata City. When they moved out of the city and into their ideal home, their wish to contribute to environmental issues became more than just talk. They are living what they speak.
I talked with them about their house and lifestyle. "Being concerned about global warming was a big factor in the way we have chosen to live," said Mr. Furutate grinning. When we visited Canada several years back, we were impressed at how aware people were of the environment. Separation of trash was very thorough and many homes had solar power." The actions that followed the Furutates' concerns about the environment impressed me most.
Today was haircut day, my first of the trip. "We decided we wanted to do what we can to help the environment," said Mr. Furutate. "Solar powered housing was seldom heard of then in Japan, but we managed to find someone who could help us. We would be able to cut our consumption of fossil fuels to help decrease global warming. One can just go along turning one switch to have heat and power. However, this energy is created by fossil fuels or nuclear power, two forms of energy which harm us greatly. What we can do is not use this kind of energy. Also our new home allows us to live closer to nature." In addition to their use of solar energy and their wood stove, the Furutates have worked hard to spread the use of organic farming.
"We decided we wanted to do what we can to help the environment." This is perhaps one of the most important lessons to be learned from the Furutates. They haven't stopped at only ideals but have made them into their lifestyle by starting with what they can do.
Each group in WSN is working on their own subjects and coming up with important new ideas about how the environment should be. What can all of us do? Where and how should we start?
Greg
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