//

Sustainable Living – Blog, Articles, & Tips

Explore how living lightly on the land connects our communities to the natural world that supports us. Let this page be your guide to the best advice on energy efficiency, solar power, wind energy, living off the grid, and more.

Shelter in the Rammed Earth Image

Shelter in the Rammed Earth

Polly King Ruhtenberg

The Energy Efficient Homes of Michael Reynolds Image

The Energy Efficient Homes of Michael Reynolds

Jeannette Brown

Designs for a Canadian Solar-Powered and Heated Home Image

Designs for a Canadian Solar-Powered and Heated Home

The Mother Earth News Editors

Reduce the Cost of Heating With Home Insulation Image

Reduce the Cost of Heating With Home Insulation

The Mother Earth News Editors

A Profitable Private Microhydroelectric Plant Image

A Profitable Private Microhydroelectric Plant

The Mother Earth News Editors

Thin-Film Amorphous-Silicon Photovoltaics Image

Thin-Film Amorphous-Silicon Photovoltaics

Grow a Tiny Vineyard in Your Yard for Homemade Wine Image

Grow a Tiny Vineyard in Your Yard for Homemade Wine

Kenneth Balliet

Building a Low-Budget Rustic Passive Solar House Image

Building a Low-Budget Rustic Passive Solar House

David Schonberg

My MOTHER's House Part VII: A Masonry Russian Fireplace Image

My MOTHER's House Part VII: A Masonry Russian Fireplace

The Mother Earth News Editors

My MOTHER's House Part VI: Build a Solar Water Heater Image

My MOTHER's House Part VI: Build a Solar Water Heater

The Mother Earth News Editors

The Manufacture of Photovoltaic Panels: The Birth of a Solar Cell Image

The Manufacture of Photovoltaic Panels: The Birth of a Solar Cell

How to Build a Tipi With Multiple Levels Image

How to Build a Tipi With Multiple Levels

Super-Insulated House Plans Image

Super-Insulated House Plans

The Mother Earth News Editors

Wood Gasification Efforts From the Wood Power Energy Corporation Image

Wood Gasification Efforts From the Wood Power Energy Corporation

The Mother Earth News Editors

My Mother's House Part V: Ductwork and Hybrid Energy Image

My Mother's House Part V: Ductwork and Hybrid Energy

The Mother Earth News Editors

The Double-Envelope House Image

The Double-Envelope House

The Mother Earth News Editors

The $15,000 Solar Arcade Image

The $15,000 Solar Arcade

My Mother's House Part IV: Installing a Passive Heating System Image

My Mother's House Part IV: Installing a Passive Heating System

The Mother Earth News Editors

The Early History of Thermex Paper-Cube Fuel Image

The Early History of Thermex Paper-Cube Fuel

Alan Jon Fortney

Trash To Treasure: An Upcycled House Image

Trash To Treasure: An Upcycled House

Become a Member of Mother Earth News Today!

Harness the Power of Self-Sufficiency One New Skill at A Time

It’s never been easier to pick up new skills to boost your independence and keep more money in your wallet while you’re at it. Let Mother Earth News show you how with hundreds of online learning videos, live Q&A sessions, and more for just $3.33/month!

Online video learning library, featuring 600+ videos with more added every month
Admission to all online video workshops, including expert interviews and live Q&As
A year of Mother Earth News magazine, backed by 50+ years of trusted DIY guidance
Bonus digital subscription — access new issues anywhere life takes you
Everyday member discounts on eco-friendly products in the Mother Earth News Store
Unrestricted access to online content — members get to view the latest articles, recipes, and project ideas before non-members can

Gift Orders

Canadian Members • International Members

Canadian membership: 1 year (includes postage & GST)