A self-sustainable home
Amidst the arid and desert areas
Walls are erected
By ramming soil on old tyres
Filling old glass bottles and cans
Binding it with soil, mud, and other binders
A long sloped roof to the back
Wooden support and structure
A linear building from the front
With huge glass panes to
Welcome all the sunshine
The backyard is filled with soil to make slopes
It and the wall act as thermal storage
Releases heat on cooler nights
The Greenhouse in the building
Grows vegetables and fruits
It helps in bringing fresh oxygen
The rainwater from the roofs fills
The water storage tanks to meet the water needs
Grey water from kitchen, bathroom, and sinks
Goes through natural filtration beneath
The bed of plants and provide water to them
Then it is recirculated to flush the toilet
Even the septic tank sludge is used for
Making manure for the plants and trees outside
The solar panels and wind turbines make
Off-grid life as a reality in a society
Away from the hustles of cities
The piping systems from the rooms to the
Lower slope areas help in the recirculation of fresh air
With temperatures varying with the climate
A sustainable house that could reduce carbon emissions
With the usage of wasted materials and renewable energy
It is now sustainable in tropics and rainy areas too
With the use of different materials to cope with local climate
This poem is based on countless documentaries and videos about earth ships I saw over the years. It is remarkable that wasted materials like old tyres, glass bottles, and beer or soft drinks cans among others can make a sustainable home. Earthships, with advanced designs, provide comfortable living with off-grid energy and sustainable water usage. This is ideal for those who wish to live amidst nature and lead a sustainable lifestyle. The images were taken by Earthship Biotecture Australia and Claire Carrion.
