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These off-grid houses look funky, but Earthships get the job done

10:15

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Near Taos, New Mexico, an architect and developer named Michael Reynolds has been pursuing the off-grid dream for decades. A community of his funky-looking, rammed-earth structures called Earthships has become something of a local obsession. The so-called “autonomous buildings” stay cool in the summer, and warm in the winter. They recycle rainwater water and produce their own electricity. But critics argue living this far off the grid comes with trade-offs and may not be as sustainable as promised.

Here & Now's Peter O'Dowd visited the community and reports.

This segment aired on August 15, 2024.

Headshot of Peter O'Dowd
Peter O'Dowd Senior Editor, Here & Now

Peter O’Dowd has a hand in most parts of Here & Now — producing and overseeing segments, reporting stories and occasionally filling in as host. He came to Boston from KJZZ in Phoenix.

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