Healing Appalachia : Sustainable Living through Appropriate Technology

by Fritsch, Al

• ISBN13: 9780813124315
• ISBN10: 081312431X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-05-01
• Publisher: Univ Pr of Kentucky

Summary

Healing Appalachia is the first book to apply "appropriate technology," or the simplest level of technology that can effectively achieve the desired result, specifically to the Appalachian region. The authors examine thirty low-cost, people-friendly, and environmentally benign appropriate technologies that are concerned with such issues as food preservation, land use, shelter, and transportation. They pay close attention to the practicality of each technique according to affordability, ease of use, and ecological soundness. Details on construction and maintenance and resources for locating further information are included, making this an essential volume for everyone who cares about the future of Appalachia.

Table of Contents

Solar photovoltaics	p. 27
Microhydropower	p. 38
Wind power	p. 48
Wood heating	p. 59
Solar heating applications	p. 70
Shade trees and windbreaks	p. 79
Food preservation	p. 89
Edible landscaping	p. 100
Intensive and organic gardening and orcharding	p. 113
Regional heritage plants	p. 124
Solar greenhouses and season extenders	p. 134
Wildlife habitat restoration	p. 148
Nontimber forest products	p. 160
Silvicultural practices	p. 170
Wildcrafting	p. 180
Constructed or artificial wetlands	p. 196
Land reclamation with native species	p. 207
Retreat cabin sites	p. 217
Energy-efficient passive solar design	p. 228
Natural cooling	p. 238
Native building materials	p. 252
Cordwood structures	p. 276
Yurts in Appalachia	p. 286
Simple modes of transportation	p. 296
Composting and vermicomposting	p. 308
Composting toilets	p. 319
Recycled, salvaged, and deconstructed materials	p. 331
Ponds and aquaculture	p. 340
Cisterns and water catchments	p. 350
Irrigation and water conservation	p. 361
Conclusion : an Appalachian appropriate technology	p. 371
Postscript : communications	p. 391
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