Reading from Treehugger.com today I find an article which gives me a lot of hope. First solar-hybrid power plant opens in Israel, the headline rung out. Cool, I may actually get to see this in operation as I will be leaving for Israel in 2 days. Double cool is that it incorporates a micro turbine system to enable it to produce electricity during the night as well as day. Using solar-thermal to drive the turbine when the sun is shining it switches to a burner mode capable of using bio-diesel,natural gas or bio-gas.

Whilst the power plant is relatively small scale, it uses efficient heliostats to track the Sun during the day to produce energy for 70 homes. Whilst this won't solve any energy crises overnight it does allow for population dispersion. The largest population centers are within coastal access and/or connected to rivers and estuaries. This is to allow easy access to shipping and water supplies and fishing stocks. Serving as a hub for manufacturing and industry but relying more and more on produce having to be transported to support this ''growth''.

We have now reached a technological level where we can and live in habitats which where previously difficult to establish. The Jews in Israel have been at this with their Kibbutz's for the past 60 years in the middle of some of the most harshest locations (nothing to do with the neighbors). Through some simple technologies like drip irrigation, solar condensers and other resourceful endeavors they have made sustainable community living a reality.

Could we possible see an exodus from the skyscrapers in the future with a return to the good life?