An off-the-grid community in New Mexico offers insight into sustainable building

ABC News’ Ginger Zee travels to New Mexico to live in an Earthship: a vessel built into the Earth that’s not connected to water or electricity and made with recycled materials.
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[@susanr5546]

I used to live in New Mexico. Earthships have been there for a very long time. New Mexico residents have been making classic adobe buildings for a couple of hundred years. I knew people that built their own bath tub with beautiful tiles that they made themselves, adding on rooms as their family grew and the home was beautiful. Some friends of mine built studios on their property. They built a larger home for themselves, reusing a lot of different materials. They had a small house to cover some expenses. One of the studios even had an upstairs apartment. The window in the studio was composed of reused fluorescent tubes! Yes, it seems radical, but think of how other people live? I have been on a Hong Kong junk where families fish and live. Due to flood issues, the dutch build floating homes and they are very popular. Seattle Washington developed wonderful floating homes at many of their lake and harbor areas. I have been in well-appointed small apartments in Europe. The tiny house movement is an excellent idea. All of these kinds of living quarters have pros and cons, of course, however these are just examples of ways to live with the earth! I would so enjoy having my own earthship. The earth ships shown are just beautiful. Thanks very much.

[@kevintewey1157]

Isn't it great that the capitalists have convinced all of us?We have to scale down when.In fact they are the only ones that decided how much we really have😂

[@kansasgoldilocks]

I live in Albuquerque and have driven past this Earthship community many times when visiting Taos. We have some in town that seem to be inspired design-wise by Earthships, but I think city regulations make it difficult to construct a true Earthship within city limits. I would love to live in one of these. The indoor gardens are so awesome.

[@Aurorarose1313]

This is beautiful. It's so hard to find something that isn't doom and gloom in the news. I love what you're are doing.

[@Rapha_YadaFarms]

The always show the people living under rocks and desolate places. Even though its fruitful. They should always show self sustaining communities like Straitway.

[@kevintewey1157]

Read Marx, Lennin more. If you don't see hope when you look at what's really good in china then you're just listening to life

[@kerricorser4562]

So great to see Michael still goin strong and that you did such a great report to keep his legacy alive, which keeps us alive. Good work, Michael. Great report ❤

[@667SatansNeighbor]

Dude... People have been preaching "Earthships" for over 30 years now... Did a report on them in high school, and I graduated in 1993. Checked one out in Baja California made out of tires in 1997.

[@justagirlsd3000]

My friends mom built one in Popotla.

[@joanjenny2555]

I am tingling with inspiration from this broadcast. Just love the work and heart put into this from so many people. I felt the hum of the Earth walking in with Ginger to the home and saw she obviously had a very deep sleep. So beautiful and so responsible. Sending Canadian Northern Comfort. Peace to the World.

[@Natty183]

I love this comment. Cheers from Cali!

[@user-db5ts2yt6o]

Earthships are awesome and awe inspiring.

[@claudettefolsom1509]

My family used rain water when l was growing up l was born at home. All my siblings were😊

[@powerwagon3731]

The actor Dennis Weaver had one built out of old tires back in the day. My county in Colorado will not let you do anything out their tiny box. After much legal battles the rain that falls on our roof we can actually use . My dad grew up in Taos so I’m familiar with these earth ships. Thanks!

[@4thorder]

Been watching these for years now. Ginger Zee you always have the coolest content!

[@postullio8775]

My environmental science class is currently discussing trash, the life cycle of products, and the impact it has on the environment. The coincidence that this video was uploaded today blew my mind. I shared it with my professors and classmates.

[@MJ-fj9yv]

You moving there?

[@postullio8775]

@@MJ-fj9yv moving there? Not likely. Certainly not any time soon. I'd visit for a weekend! That would be cool. I love the idea of an Earthship, but I would also want answers to all of the important questions that need to be asked when buying or building a home. And I don't truly know or understand the housing market, but 400k+ for a two bedroom (if I remember correctly) seems a little pricey.

[@MJ-fj9yv]

@@postullio8775 but the experience…

[@holgermessner851]

@@postullio8775The price can’t be right. Because you are building with dirt and garbage. There are many places that need to get rid off glass bottles, tires, used doors & windows. Just watch your wallet. Make yourself an Excel spreadsheet and put in everything you spend on materials, permits, even helpers if needed. I am building a house right now in Panama. Estimate for my 150m2 house is $25,000. If you need new materials. Go to check out factory prices. It makes a big difference if you can cut out the building markets and order from factory directly!

[@BeachPeach2010]

I love that it's nearly impossible to capitalize off the building of these homes! Energy companies must hate this guy. It's why we love him!

[@_DB.COOPER]

😆😂😂🤣😝 You should see this place in person, it’s like your local landfill. You can have it.

[@robertvazquez2964]

That’s why the US govt wont allow them

[@_DB.COOPER]

@@robertvazquez2964 you just seen them in the video! 😂😆😆🤣🤣 They have been allowed for decades! SMH..

[@robertvazquez2964]

@@_DB.COOPER Not everywhere though as zoning and building codes are different everywhere and many places won’t allow this. Try it in a city and see what happens.

[@_DB.COOPER]

@@robertvazquez2964 😂😆🤣🤣😝 You have zoning and building codes for a reason, you can’t put a pig farm in downtown USA city, you can’t set up a trailer park in a multi million dollar housing development! I’ve been there many times, those things are all over the place out in the country. If you want to live like country folk you need to move to the country.

[@frankwyte4978]

The home is one of many throughout the cosmos

[@alanmcrae8594]

Michael Reynolds is a legend. The systems he developed in his Earthship designs are a great way to move in the direction of sustainable living & reducing one's carbon and resource footprints. I have several of his books and I love the futuristic & artistic look of these remarkable structures. Well done sir!

[@Brian-os9qj]

Always a joy to see Michael keeping us thinking about better ways.

[@nnonotnow]

I'm willing to be a volunteer beer can drainer. Seriously, thanks for people like this that are out on the edge. Keeping an eye out for the rest of us

[@theuglykwan]

in an early prototype they ordered filled cans but they made a mistake and it had the ring pull instead for being sealed (purpose was to use them as thermal mass). over time they pop and the liquid bursts out!

[@livewellherenow]

Beautiful; thank you for taking on this subject. Please keep them coming.

[@elsasevilla3416]

Loved the storytelling and especially the concept of living of the grid, living with nature and not against nature. Build more off-the-grid homes!!!

[@judithgrace8359]

Amazing!

[@tombrooks3812]

I love this, keep on inovating✌️

[@pleinaire8698]

We visited Earthship 15 years ago and was very impressed with what they do using the old recycle cans bottles tires earth… it works!❤❤❤🎉

[@ledzepgirlnmful]

Only in New Mexico ! I remember when these started in North Central New Mexico around Taos.

[@theuglykwan]

You can find them in other states and in fact all over the world now.

[@jessicachavezlovingchange911]

I'm loving earthships and would love to live in one since I'm alone I would love this so if ever get in touch with me

[@CynRamirez]

I love this idea

[@independencestnola]

My main concern was about the leeching!! Thank you for asking that question!!!

[@willcookmakeup]

I love how Ginger is just casually wearing Louboutins bahah

[@MJ-fj9yv]

Privilege, it matters 😂

[@lynetteledoux2845]

Hard work? Budgeting?

[@MJ-fj9yv]

@@lynetteledoux2845 Bottomless pit for material folks?

[@snakebite277]

ever since i first heard about earthships ive wanted to build a more "modern" one

[@jamesglass5402]

If we want to help the Earth first limit the number of people on the planet. When we had children or model was replace ourselves and no more.

[@supernova622]

The problem isn't the number of people, it's the first world Western lifestyle full of excess and waste

[@davidb2206]

@@supernova622 The problem is the number of people and WHO they are. The least productive people on the planet reproduce the most! This is exactly backwards and disastrous. Producing goods and services for other humans is what raises the standard of living for us all. 8 billion, with billions of non-productive or marginally productive is not sustainable for the planet or the sapiens. WHY do so many third worlders continue to breed more children that they KNOW they cannot provide food, education, and basic medical care for? It's mean. It's inhumane. It's cruel to continue breeding more suffering.

[@theuglykwan]

that problem should correct itself given low birth rates of developed nations and natural resources running out.

[@QAlba1074]

It's not the burden of population, it's the burden of lifestyle that is the problem. Animals lived on earth for billions of years (in very large numbers) without destroying nature. They did not destroy nature because their thinking/activity was limited to searching for food for one time only. Man has existed on earth in large numbers for only a few thousand years/few hundred years. Within this short period man has destroyed the environment. This destruction took place because of man's thinking. When man thinks he makes things. When he makes things he kills animals/trees/air/water/land (nothing can be made without killing these five elements of nature). A thinking species destroys the environment (planet).

[@whatever3145]

Some of us are disabled bro. I cant even clean my house or shower regularly anymore, cant do all this. If money wasnt an issue, maybe. But it always will be.

[@napakapa1046]

The future will probably require us to live more and more within true communities, so you wouldn't necessarily have e to do all this by yourself, no man is an island.

[@starward0997]

Not an excuse to criticised his lifestyle

[@thomasanderson6008]

@@napakapa1046the future is already being built, it’s 64 square foot apartments for $3k a month!

[@SwiKeyMTC]

​@@starward0997He literally NEVER criticized anyone.

[@grahamfloyd3451]

@@SwiKeyMTC yes he did, he made a lame excuse that his disability requires environmental destruction.

[@brooksschneider3441]

We stayed in the Phoenix for 2 nights in 2013. It was amazing! My only regret was that we were out somewhere when Michael Reynolds stopped by. My sister-in-law got to meet him, but I missed out. 😢 I would love to live in an earthship, but at just a few months from 70 years old and living in Western NY, I don't see it ever happening.

[@tadotto]

I've been obsessed with earthships for at least a decade. I've asked a hundred people or more if they are interested in earthships and almost all of them have never even herd of the concept, blows my mind. So I've been out hear in advocating, but I'm tired of the message falling on def ears. I think I've got enough courage to make the journey to Taos in my repurposed short school bus and help where and how I can and learn as much as possible!

[@user-ox1og7xu5y]

Ginger mentioned how quiet it was in her earthship... that's the thing that stood out the most to me too, when I stayed in one. I love the quiet. I have four kids, three yapping dogs, wood floors, and our house is not quiet. The winds on the New Mexico plains are also not quiet. But inside that earthship I found absolute silence... it was beautiful. The open shower was pretty cool, too.

[@TerreHauteRemoteGoat]

I built an earthship (well a contractor built it... I designed it). It wasn't made from trash (BTW, much of that "trash" in the video recycles well and prevents the mining of new materials.) My earthship was built into the side of a mountain. It won a design award, but more importantly it was/is a very functional home. They're not weird. They can be very practical.

[@johnredding1243]

I remember the first time my mom took us to the New Mexico earthships when I was a boy in the 60s I've stayed in the Phoenix house I've studied it I've designed new modern earthships I think it's just a wonderful way to go thank you for having this.

[@robertbrown8416]

Absolutely Brilliant.... Thank you

[@Deva-no3dn]

Mike Reynolds is amazing. Such a zest for life, still excited about earth ships and independence; it's all about freedom and being a non-conformist. At the beginning he mentioned he has stage 4 cancer. Old tires are full of chemicals and poisons and will off-gas cancer causing fumes. Some people tried earth ships who had continuous headaches, nausea and fatigue and had to move out of them. The earth ship is a wonderful idea, but someone needs to figure out a substitute for the tires. Get well Mike Reynolds. If anyone can beat stage 4 cancer it's you. 💗

[@markstevens1729]

Did that, including a sit down with Michael in December 2000. Wonderful dwellings.

[@nisagomez4366]

Awesome. I would definitely live in one.

[@ursularang4126]

This is awesome and beautiful.. I can live there.. 😁

[@realstatistician]

It would be great if they could release the plans for the simple house at some point, so that people can try building their own (if regulations anywhere else would allow).

[@katrinarawls3632]

❤ amazing!

[@KristinFord-gd1pk]

WOW!!!❤❤❤i want one❣️

[@beatricemcdonald3759]

Love this! Thanks ❤for sharing

[@divinaflamingarrow9556]

I have been wanting this for decades ❤. Hope I am not too late.

[@patmayer7222]

Plenty of people in streets all over citys,,towns,,...give them all safe passage to these communities,....help them all out.now

[@frankroper3274]

I could have built several homes from beer cans in my time! Floated a battleship or 2 as well!

[@shortandcut]

Wow this is amazing!

[@robmarshall5100]

Dennis weaver

[@Kim-lc3fv]

Very impressive! I hope they start showing up all over.

[@danielflores3210]

Property in new mexico.small lot.so can build house.nice earth ship.keep up the work.dont let know one tell u different.god bless u all

[@debbielowensen9435]

Totally awesome!

[@laurahennessy2893]

makes so much sense

[@marshamercer876]

Can you put a basement under one of these. Ive heard that only in the desert does this housing work.

[@prilep5]

Amish people are the real and original off- griders living in balance with nature producing sustainable healthy food and real community.

[@user-ky5zv8vw4q]

What a great idea 💡💡💡 pay attention people we need to help mother earth she helps us 😊😊😊

[@dubby6665]

love it keep up the good work

[@JUNKJACKZACK]

My school took us on a tour there as part of our experiential education curriculum.

[@ronlacker326]

Bro is a hippy to the end.

[@grahamfloyd3451]

Gotta admire it.

[@ronlacker326]

@@grahamfloyd3451 No, I I'm saying that scathingly.

[@justagirlsd3000]

@@ronlacker326how rude

[@ronlacker326]

@@justagirlsd3000 Deserved, though.

[@LearningSpanishwithDrL]

Great video!

[@melindaherrera5313]

news stories about this community since the 80's... glad your bathing up ABC news.

[@tengotnco5942]

Love it❤

[@boris2835]

nicer then most modern houses

[@zentierra7803]

I love this! Having said that...this will only be accessible to *everyone*, when it is _affordable_ for everyone. Land cost too much money. Solar panels cost too much money. Labor can be untenable for a large portion of people. It's the same story as what access to healthy organic food has proven to be...something that can only be afforded by relative few.

[@user-ff8vo1se8v]

Maybe only eat organic real food and cut the crap conventional "food" and only drink pure water

[@tonyspicer6745]

Amazing

[@joliecide]

Here's a fun question. Does the guy who invented that reside in one?

[@FlourishingLove]

Yes, of course he does. He said so in the segment.

[@alro11]

yes

[@Authenticwings]

Earthships, which are sustainable homes built from recycled materials like tires, have gained popularity for their eco-friendly approach. It’s interesting to hear that an Earthship builder in New Mexico claims that tires with over 10,000 miles don’t off-gas. This claim might reflect observations from the builder’s experience with tires in construction, but it might require further scientific study for general validation. Factors Influencing Tire Off-Gassing Several factors can influence the off-gassing process in tires, such as: • Use and Mileage: Regular use may lead to quicker dissipation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) due to wear and exposure to the elements. Tires that have undergone significant mileage might have fewer VOCs left to release. • Age: As tires age and are exposed to environmental factors (like UV light, heat, and oxygen), the compounds that cause off-gassing might degrade or become inert. • Storage Conditions: Tires that have been exposed to air, heat, and sunlight during usage may off-gas at a faster rate than those kept in cooler, darker conditions. Observations and Practical Insights The claim that tires with over 10,000 miles don’t off-gas might reflect the following insights: • Initial Off-Gassing: New tires often have a noticeable odor, indicating initial off-gassing. This effect tends to diminish with use and time. • Mileage Impact: After a certain mileage, tires may reach a state where most VOCs have been released. The 10,000-mile threshold could be based on experience or observation, indicating a point where off-gassing becomes negligible. Limitations and Considerations It’s important to consider that this claim is based on observation and might not represent a universal rule. Variables like tire composition, driving conditions, and storage can affect off-gassing. Further scientific studies or empirical data would be needed to validate such a claim broadly. Conclusion While the idea that tires with over 10,000 miles don’t off-gas may align with practical observations, the actual off-gassing process can vary based on multiple factors. If you’re interested in Earthship building or sustainable construction using recycled tires, it’s advisable to consider a range of perspectives and consult environmental studies on tire off-gassing to understand any potential risks or best practices.

[@theuglykwan]

You can use earth bags or just concrete etc and insulation. Don't need to use the tires, they are hyper labour intensive anyway.

[@Authenticwings]

@@theuglykwan Thanks for sharing!!! Watching them pack the tires with dirt…looked exhausting, and time intensive!

[@justmejenny7986]

Love everything about it.

[@loganbush4015]

10,000 miles is a magic number

[@upeonyambo4645]

Nice

[@trailmark4504]

The Supreme Court is listening but can they figure it out. What is the meaning of inalienable rights? Inalienable means something that is not transferable or that is impossible to take away (God-given rights). Every constitution provides for fundamental rights which are inalienable rights. In America the homeless have proven that inalienable rights doesn't exist, the government can take away your home whenever they want. It is insane! To make laws against people sleeping or using the bathroom cannot work… People cannot make a choice not to sleep or relieve themselves. The government is sponsoring homeless torture. Bullying to suicide being taught in elementary school puts hate in the soul of God ("I am what I am") today the human race is making the future impossible to live for. Nuclear Armageddon is logical, even AI agrees. laws making reality evil to the human spirit makes survivability impossible. PS. Politics making laws forcing people to spit in the face of reality is how demonic feelings are created, humanity has a need to survive without logic working against it.

[@johnryan8859]

Great story. Im ready to live.

[@marydawkins4190]

I have to wonder if the reporter began to at least question her chosen lifestyle after experiencing this. We're never going to make the changes we need until a lot of us can let go of our traditional ways of living from the top down. The concentration of resources it takes to live our traditional materialistic and energy sucking lives isn't going to last forever.

[@Streghamay]

This is my life goal. To build an Earthship.

[@g00d-news]

The way to go 🎉😊

[@csava2095]

I love the concept of this. How well does it work in the more northern and southern latitudes? I live in the Norfolk VA area. It has moderate rainfall year round. Could I live in this earthship design all year.

[@michaelstopher1471]

There is a documentary called Garbage Warrior about this. Absolutely inspiring!

[@kiekie84]

if anyone is interested there are also homes you can build underground that lead up the service of the land and they are sooo cool there is a man in tx who has an underground home and he shows it off in an interview on KZbin but these types of homes tiny homes Earthships underground homes houses on a buss these types of homes are always sooo cool

[@user-sp2oe8pt3t]

Where in New Mexico? I live in Rio Rancho…I would love to visit this earth ships…

[@earthship]

💚💚💚

[@PatriciaStevens-rv6kn]

Great episode Ginger!

[@jamesglass5402]

This isn’t for everyone.

[@realstatistician]

There are so many regulations that prevent anyone even from even trying this in most states. It’s cool that it’s hit the mainstream media in this clip though. My state (which has very little rainfall) does not allow the use of gray water, and requires permits for rain water collection. Even small houses, that you could potentially build yourself, are not legal because of all the city/county/state building codes (that exist in nearly every area). New Mexico is probably the only place where they were able to try this. I would love to go see one someday.

[@critters16]

I'd love to try that!♥️

[@thinkingcitizen]

how do they get the water ?

[@theuglykwan]

They have extensive roofs which harvest the rain and water tanks are buried in the ground or built into the back berm to store it. They have water filters, uv for killing bacteria etc inside. They reuse grey water for the planters, when the toilet flushes the water from the planters is used. apparently 9 inches of rainfall in taoes, nm and people make it work.

[@curtisdenney3033]

What he doesn't tell you is that the people who he trains and does the labor for all the builds are paying not being paid for the process. The blueprints are 100 grand for the smallest. All the recycling aspects of the house has to be redone every 15 or 20 years. Not affordable for anyone who makes less then 6 figures. I live just down the street from the earthship community on the Mesa in a more real off grid community.

[@jedics1]

While I was never a fan of the wonky hand made walls and the hippy aesthetic in general the philosophy behind it makes more sense every year, if I had the oppertunity without restrictions I would build an earthship in a heart beat over any other, I would just apply a more clean mimimal aesthetic which Im sure would make the whole idea more accessible to people.

[@SumFugaziSalt]

Pioneer ! Mike Reynolds helped break the ice for a lot of us here in New Mexico as far a forward thinking home design , unfortunately regulations and code is still far behind the curve , still a lot of what Mike and others like Scott Pitman cracked the ice .

[@DoYourPeaceNow]

Love that mainstream media is FINALLY getting it! Let's actually SAVE the planet!

[@Mojokiss]

i would prefer to live in this sort of habitat over any other option, especially if there were some neighbors doing the same

[@Pedrorelvas10.]

Good Night!ABC News!

[@sgtpepperz25]

The bureaucrats will never listen, it would put them out of the job...

[@Bridge50]

Earthship huh 🤔

[@keeganmerickson]

Problem 1: almost all county and state governments don't allow us to collect rain water.

[@fischkopf]

This series is like documenting the "Mad Max" train wreck that's coming while standing idle waiting for our popcorn in the microwave to be ready.

[@leav388]

Hippies are awesome.

[@acidfelip3890]

Great content

[@tanyacarbajal3597]

That Governor was super shady.

[@MJ-fj9yv]

As in Slim Shady, the real slim shady?

[@dv8smr]

Two words... Building Codes

[@pcatful]

It seems that the emergence if videos on earthships is a result of KZbin, not innovation, as these have been around for half a century. It is just as now “off grid” is such a catchy topic. We used to call it back to nature or self-sufficiency (which is a misnomer) and things like that.

[@sierravista9013]

We need alternative septic