Zoey Weir

AP Language

Mrs. Stephanie Tatum

10 December 2019

Synthesis Essay

Human impact on the environment has been increasingly detrimental to ecosystems,

animals, and even humans themselves. Hundreds of animals have gone extinct due to human

activities through pollution, urban sprawl, and energy usage in just a few hundred years. Some

scientists argue that there is not enough time for the earth to recover from the damage humans

have created. However, the movement of "off the grid" habitats can provide a solution for the

long-term health of our world. The term "off the grid" refers to those who have chosen to live

away from society and reduce their impact on the environment. People who live "off the grid"

will save our nonrenewable energy sources such as coal or oil, reduce their carbon footprint,

improve their health, and promote an individualistic lifestyle that is beneficial for the individual

as well as the environment.

Living "off the grid" includes anyone from any background, proven by the example of

"The New American Life" by Tracie McMillan. The author includes the unique example of

Joseph and Shelly Trumpey, a retired professor and school teacher, who made the life-changing

decision to live "off the grid". The article stated, "[This] couple [is] passionate about

self-reliance, high-quality food, [and ] solar-powered home" (Source A). This couple is a prime

example that anyone can live "off the grid" despite their background. Typically an audience
would assume a more nature loving nomatic type to be the norm for this style of living, however

couples like the Trumpey’s prove that anyone can live “off the grid”. The couple built a house

that was completely self sustaining which proved they have the capability to function

independently. Their house is also environmentally friendly, producing its energy by solar panels

which have no effect on the environment because sunlight is a renewable resource. This results

in lower carbon outputs, decreasing their carbon footprint. The Trumpey family shows an

example of how a modern couple can live "off the grid" and have little effect on the

environment. This movement can have insurmountable effects because the more population that

lives "off the grid" the lower the carbon dioxide release and the more renewable energy

available. Tracie McMillan shows a modern example of how one family can have an impact on

the environment and communicates that anyone can live “off the grid”.

If families are unable to live completely "off the grid", there are other options available,

such as families who do not necessarily want to be completely disconnected. In the article,

“Living off the grid is no longer just for back-to-the-landers”, Turkel Tux illustrates the

affordability of renewable resource energy systems such as solar panels. Tux includes that solar

panels have "fallen drastically over the past few years, so homeowners can generate more power

for less money" (Source B). Many "off the grid" prospects are turned away because the great cost

of preparing to live "off the grid", especially the cost of solar panels. However because this

movement has increased dramatically in recent years, more people are buying solar panels,

meaning their overall cost has decreased. Using renewable energy means the energy will never

run out, so people using this system are independent from the costs and fees of electrical

companies. Living "off the grid" has its perks because people can save money and be
independent of any major electricity company. People who use renewable energy such as solar

panels will never suffer from a power outage. This article exemplifies that solar panels are

becoming more affordable and create an independent environment for solar panel owners.

Not many people realize the amount of energy they consume every day in an American

modern day home. In a chart from Cam Mather's “Lessons from Off-Grid Living”, one can see

the amount of energy it takes for just one day. The chart shows that a simple refrigerator takes

1,000 watt-hours of energy in one hour; however, many Americans keep their refrigerators

running 24 hours a day. Not to mention, this chart is based on a living "off the grid" home which

produces 5 kilo-watt hours vs the American home with an average of 30 kilo-watt hours per day

(Source C). This chart indicates that for an average American home it takes about 30,000

kilo-watts for one day to run a refrigerator. The numbers speak for themselves. It is important for

people to realize how much energy we consume in just one day. This chart provides incentive for

a living style that uses drastically less energy. Just think of the countless amounts of energy and

money people would save switching to an "off the grid" lifestyle.

Some people oppose the "off the grid" lifestyle because of the rise in electrical prices of

those who are not living "off the grid". Rajab Khalilpour and Anthony Vassallo of “Leaving the

grid: An ambition or a real choice?” argue the values for the good of all, in which people living

“off the grid” save money all the while other homeowners using electrical companies are forced

to pay higher electricity bills. The authors state, "Consumers - leave the grid, the network cost

will be distributed over fewer customers and thus the network charge will increase" (Source D).

The authors value those who are left behind paying high electric bills, however the writers fail to
acknowledge simple economics. If more people are buying renewable energy systems such as

solar panels, they are reducing the cost. If the cost of solar panels is going down, then these

electrical consumers could switch to this system and save money while also saving the

environment. The option of living “off the grid” does work for the good of all: saving people

money, offering independence, and helping the environment.

The main appeal of living “off the grid” is the escape from the turmoils of everyday life:

pollution, traffic, and constant traffic are a few examples which provides a healthier

environment. In the article, “The Temptation to Hide Away in a Tiny Home” by Eve Andrews

highlights the attractiveness of this lifestyle. The article states that people living off the grid

escape from “telecommuting and car commuting” while also avoiding “any pollution or

crowding or any racial inequality” (Source E). People living “off the grid” will receive less

quantities of the problems we face by creating a peaceful utopia free from stresses these

problems create. Living “off the grid” can create a distance between the problems our world

faces to create a healthier environment for its inhabitants.

The numerous benefits of living "off the grid" are endless: becoming an independent

consumer, helping the environment, contributing to better health, and saving money. People

living "off the grid" are free from the contracts or expensive prices of electrical companies, and

can also save the earth by reducing their carbon footprint. In addition, solar panels and other

renewable energy sources save consumers money because the number of solar panel owners are

increasing. Living “off the grid” also contributes to an individual's health because it creates a

distance between the turmoils of modern life. The benefits are evident. By living “off the grid"
people can still stay connected but stray away from environmental degrading activities such as

electricity. There is an opportunity to improve our earth and prevent further destruction of its

habitats, water sources, and animals. Living "off the grid" is a valuable solution that would

benefit the environment, society as a whole, and the individual.