Energy-conserving lifestyles. Final report to the California Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission. [Examples at Reston, Virginia, Irvine, California, and Cerro Gordo, Oregon]
The broad topic of energy use and its relationship to lifestyles are addressed. Of special interest is energy use among individuals who have chosen innovative or alternative lifestyles that are characterized by low energy use or that have the potential for relatively low energy use. In Chapter 2 the back-to-the-land movement (rural alternative lifestyle), looking at both individual homesteads and communal living is examined. The nature of the movement and its lifestyle, the consumption of energy and other items, the economic effects, and some of the problems encountered are described. In Chapter 3 the energy conservation possibilities and lifestyles of American new towns of the 1960s and 1970s are considered. Reston, Virginia and Irvine, California, both satellite new towns typical of the developer-designed community (although unique in other respects), are described in detail. In contrast, a very different type of new community--Cerro Gordo, Oregon--designed by a group of its original members is examined. This community emphasizes energy and resource conservation and close interpersonal relationships in a small rural setting. In Chapter 4 housing and subdivision design in existing communities capable of reducing energy use for heating, cooling, transportation, and other purposes is considered. Voluntary or governmentally imposed measures that affect orientation and design of structures, insulation of buildings, and microclimate within the subdivision are included. Regulations in the city of Davis and an innovative subdivision in that city are described and evaluated. In Chapter 5 effects of a variety of obstacles to the wider adoption of lifestyle changes capable of reducing energy use are identified and evaluated. Both individual and societal factors are considered as well as some social implications of adopting various changes. A concluding comment in Chapter 6 completes the report.
- Research Organization:
- California Univ., Davis (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 7292652
- Report Number(s):
- NP-21972
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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