Self sufficient and sustainable living is a lifestyle that attempts to reduce an individual's or society's use of the Earth's natural resources and his/her own resources. Practitioners of sustainable living often attempt to reduce their carbon footprint by altering methods of transportation, energy consumption and diet. Supporters of sustainable living aim to conduct their lives in manners that are consistent with sustainability, in natural balance and respectful of humanity's symbiotic relationship with the Earth's natural ecology and cycles. The practice and general philosophy of ecological living is highly interrelated with the overall principles of sustainable development.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_living

Shelter

• Bamboo
• Cellulose insulation
• Cob
• Composite wood (when made from reclaimed hardwood sawdust and reclaimed or recycled plastic)
• Cordwood
• Cork
• Hemp
• Insulating concrete forms
• Lime render
• Adobe
• etc ...

Power / Energy Efficiency

• Weatherization
• Energy Efficient Lighting
• Energy Conservation

Food

• Environmental impacts of industrial agriculture
• Conventional food distribution and long distance transport
• Local and seasonal foods
• Reducing meat consumption
• Organic farming
• Urban gardening
• Food preservation and storage

Transportation

• Reduce traffic into town
• Lift clubs
• Work from home where possible
• Fuel friendly cars

Water

• Indoor home appliances
• Toilets
• Showers
• Dishwasher/Sinks
• Washing machines
• Outdoor water usage
• Conserving Water
• Sequestering Water

Waste

• Efficient removal of waste