Don't worry I won't get narky or take offence!

I agree it would be wonderful if everyone could do this, but families are struggling to put food on the table and clothes on their children - I think part of it goes back to the bigger better more syndrome. Maybe if we could roll the clock back 50 years with the size of housing, self providing, we would be a lot better off, obviously it would need to be combined with the knowledge about the environment we have now.

I just don't know how families are going to be able to find away to pay for solar panels, water tanks etc.

My father in law grows all his own fruit and veggies, as well as producing his own honey it takes loads of water to try and keep things alive, and heaps of time maitaining the gardens (not to mention the bees). Then to top it off the time taken to preserve the excess food, both bottled and dried.

I think most people are trying, water comsumption is down, everyone seems to be changing to energy efficient light bulbs, wood fires don't seem as common. BUT we do need to do more. Maybe the Government needs to take a little responsibilty too....