What a pleasure it was to meet you last night and hear your inspiring talk and participate in a warm community event on a cold night.

You asked me to send you my question so that you may respond to it in more detail in your blog. My question was about the efficacy of capturing and storing water in a winter rainfall area such as the Australian West coast where the winters are short and sharp with a long, dry summer to follow, and, in addition, sandy soils.

The other question I raised was about urban lighting and whether we really need, or want, all the street lighting we have. This was bit of an aside to your observation that the black roads absorb light. Therefore possibly requiring stronger lights?

Myself and my wife Astrid have just returned from your talk at Hilton Community centre and it evoked many interesting thoughts and feelings.
Your courage and determination for making a change and sharing with people your thoughts and knowledge is credible.
We are planning on moving back to the third generation farm in the south west of WA very soon, many interesting thoughts came to mind when you touched on food and the future. My father from a young age cleared the land and toiled it hard to grow profitable crops, yield good wool and provide for his family. Now in his 60′s this land has many issues with degenerated soils and salinity. It is very interesting to see him now devote vast amount of time and money into rejuvenating the land, probably not to see the full extent of his work.
I look forward very much to your next book on food. My father has been ” harping on ” about this for years! ” you will need to provide food for yourself in the future ” ” the government does not want small farmers, they are a liability ” and the list goes on. When you mentioned your plan for the Chippendale community it reminded me of what life would have been like in the 30′s or 40′s, before we relied on transport, snap freezing and the likes.
We plan on building a modern house, as sustainable as possible, something I am having troubles getting a grip on. I look at the cost and indirect impacts ( byproducts of construction ect ) of some of the more eco materials and systems and find it hard to weigh up. We have yet to read your book but will do so and am sure to find some answers in there.
Thanks again and look forward to your next book and some of the thoughts it brings.

Graeme and Astrid.