The Cob Mob, Karyn Stillwell Temple and Jason Temple, retrofitted their little cottage’s sheet metal fireplace with a Rocket Stove thermal mass heater.
The stove features a heated day bed/sitting platform and utilizes the existing chimney flue.
“The heated day bed/seat coming out into the room works well for this space; it gently partitions the room into two spaces. At the end of a hard day’s work the day bed is THE place to find me sprawled out on my back, healing my sore muscles. Our heat seeking Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy also covets the stove and spent every winter evening laying on it when we weren’t. In this photo he is forgoing the soft pillows in favor of the serious heat coming through the blanket (necessary after 4 hours of firing). This picture was actually taken the morning after a firing, everything is still hot.” - Jason Temple
Karyn and Jason live in Australia, where they share their knowledge and passion for cob. They offer design consultation and assistance to those involved with natural building projects, and work with schools and community groups to develop cob projects that improve their local environment, get people working together and having fun.
Path to Freedom is a very inspiring website, and cast of characters. The Dervaes turned their urban 1/5 acre lot in to a organic micro-farm; producing 55 to 85% of there own food. They are leading by example. Challenging us to become local, to connect with nature, think about our lifestyle and what is happening with our food supply.
It is our responsibility to know how to feed ourselves. Instead of marching down to the local mega-chain market, seek out local farmers, farmers markets or plant seeds in your kitchen window sill. No lawns left behind… start to mulch your yard; preparing the soil for a new life as a food producing garden. Learn about permaculture and plants that will grow in your bioregion. There are few things we really need. If our bellies are full all else is possible.
If you want to be a revolutionary - grow your own food!
220 Productions presents Visionaries, Small Solutiuons to Enormously Large Problems.
A video with Bill Mollison the initiator of the permaculture movement.
Written, produced and directed by Tony Gailey and Julian Russell in 1989.
Oh, there are many neato things about rocket stoves. Efficient burning; the heating of a cob bench ( that makes you feel so good ); the sculptural shapes. Nothing so far as amazing as this… Your tea doesn’t get cold!
I’m a fan of tea. Seems like you have to drink it while it’s warm and there’s only a short window of time where it’s at the perfect temperature. Not on top of the rocket stove.
I boiled the water in a tea kettle, poured it in the cup and left the cup on top of the stove and every time - Mmmmm warm. Progressively warm tea. What a joy!
“We are living at a peak of human innovation, information, wealth and health, but we are also at a peak of population and consumption with raising temperatures and declining resources fueled by cheap oil and gas. Peak Moment television bringing you examples of positive responses to energy decline and climate change through local community action.”
Janaia Donaldson and Peak Moment TV have collected a wealth of interviews with members of our world that are making positive change. Some of the interview topics include peak oil, gardening, natural building, alternative fuels, local living, and community building. If you watch YouTube, have a look at Janaia’s interviews with Mark Lakeman of City Repair, Robert Bolman’s eco-village, and Anne and Gord Baird’s cob house interview.
