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small is beautiful

2/18/2021

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Bill Gates has a new book out: How to Avoid a Climate Disaster. Central to Gates’ “plan” to achieve “net zero greenhouse emissions” in time to avoid disaster, is the electrification of as much human activity as is possible. “Trading carbon credits” he suggests will make up for those activities that cannot be
completely electrified, e.g. air travel. By-passing solar and wind generated power, he is making large investments advocating a new generation of nuclear power plants. Solar and wind he believes cannot be expected to generate enough electricity to meet the need.

In my mind, it is “the need” that also must be addressed. This would reduce the problem to the level where ordinary people, like you and me collectively, can and must contribute to an enduring solution.

People of my generation may remember another book with the sub title: Economics as if People Mattered. It was Small is Beautiful written in 1973 by the German-British economist, E. F. Schumacher.  Though much of his thesis ran contrary to the economic science of his day (and ours), Schumacher was
no naïve crack-pot advocate of a “flower power” counter-culture. To the contrary, a Rhodes Scholar and later professor at Oxford, he was instrumental in developing plans for the British economic recovery from WWII and spent decades advising the British, and other governments, on matters of energy,
production, and development.

By his time, economics had evolved to a statistical science, able to quantify and project the world’s largest industrial economies. The “growth” economic policy that resulted focused on production, distribution, and consumption for the masses based on a conception that "material well-being" is the quantifiable equivalent for “quality of life.” To the contrary, Schumacher observed that large bureaucratic organizations often failed to serve humankind as these faceless, mathematically based systems did not accommodate the human need for “health, beauty, and permanence.“ Inspired by his contact with age-old cultures in the developing world—especially India during the life of Gandhi—he became convinced that smaller organization, using simple and available methods, or implementing “modern” but appropriately scaled technologies, afforded the most humanized, environmental, and sustainable economies.

By “downsizing”—i.e. reducing our “needs”—ordinary people of modest means can participate in the program now necessary to avoid, or perhaps survive, the worst consequences of any impending climate disaster. We need to learn to “live with less” within local economies, produce at least a part of one’s
own needs, live in smaller spaces, drive smaller cars fewer miles, vacation in our own “back yards,” and, like Bill Gates, electrify in every way we can—from efficient home heating systems to electric transportation.

Contrary to Gates’ analysis, solar and wind technologies can play a big part in reducing carbon energy demand—and have become not only affordable, but sensible--especially for homes, small business, municipal or institutional utilities, and vehicle re-charging stations. Bill Gates may feel good that he can
offset the “carbon footprint” of his travel by private jet to the tune of $7,000,000 annually in “carbon credits,” but this is not an option for most of us. Part of the solution to the present climate crisis will need to be big and technocratic, but if we will endure we will need to fundamentally change the way we live.
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the Joys and perils of being close to lake superior

2/1/2021

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As we are selling our farm, Janet and i have decided build a modest "cottage"  (as Janet prefers to call it)  on Romans Point near Cornucopia.  It is not our plan to move. Our present house at the farm will continue to be our home for as long as our son and our health will allow us to live there.  The cottage will be a family retreat and a practical reinvestment.

The plan evolved as the reality of becoming "renters" as opposed to being "home owners"  sank in.  We also were faced with the dilemma of where we could safely "park" our life earnings after our farm and business assets were monetized.  Real Estate seemed to present a secure option for at least a part of it.  When we happened on a beautiful shoreline property on Romans Point, we made an offer which was accepted,  So, now we are off and away planning a new development and a new Adventure.  The "cottage" will be just that: a small year around Northwoods retreat cabin offering relaxation and solitude with a gorgeous lake view. 

Last week I drove out to inspect the site again with a plan to sit in a lawn chair on our sandstone bluff 40 feet above the lake to watch the sun set over Bark Bay.  I took the dog along for company--which turned out to be a mistake.  Barely out of the truck, our energetic Border Collie disappeared over the precipice of the cliff!  Greta ended up on an ice-covered sandstone shelf about ten feet above the water with no way up and no way around or out,  The dog desperately tried several times to scale the palisade, only to tumble back to the shelf below.  I called home to report my predicament:  two hours until sunset with no ideas for how to effect a rescue.  The dog would not survive the night as a west wind was breaking waves on the rocks below.  Janet ran next door to consult with Jon.

An hour later the two of them turn up with two 20' extensions ladders, climbing ropes, and a 200 foot spool of heavy duty strapping.  Jon's plan: to lower a ladder and descend to rescue the dog.  

     "I can't let you risk your life for a dog!"
     "Dad, It's my life!!"
     "NO Jon, your life is OUR life!!!"
     "Dad, I'll need your help..."

We extend the two ladders, securely lashing them together at every joint.  Remembering my Boy Scout training, I fashion a harness from the strapping.  With Jon in the harness we lower the long ladder until it bottoms out on the shelf below and secure the ladder with the climbing rope to a stout tree at the top of the cliff,  Wrapping the strapping once around the same tree I brace against the base of the trunk and play out the strapping as Jon descends the ladder in his harness.  If the ladder collapses or he falls, I hope to be able to keep him suspended by tying-off around the tree, call 911, and wait for help to arrive.  All went well.  Jon scooped up the dog, wrapped her in a large towel, and with help from Janet and me reeling up the strapping, ascended the ladder with the dog.  He made it safely over the top just as the sun was setting.  Miraculously, Greta was not injured.

Fortunately, it was a dog and not a grandchild.  The development plan now includes some strong post and rail barrier fencing like they have at Copper Falls and other public parks with high overlooks.  I hope to enjoy the sunset on my next visit with a little less heart-pounding adventure.

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    Rick Dale

    Founder
    ​ of Highland Valley Farm

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