Comment 29 by Alan4discussion

The air was warm, but somewhat "ripe"!

Hoho, I bet it was. ;)

Communal living generates heat, but good insulation, thermal regulation and ventilation should do the job without intense crowding. It depends a bit on the local climate and building design.

Yes, I did have the "crowding" objection in my mind, so thanks for bringing that out into the open. As for local-climate issues, is there somewhere I could get more information on that? Partly because I'm wondering if Britain's climate would be conductive, and partly just for curiosity.

There are numerous designs of energy efficient housing illustrated on this link!

Thanks a bundle for that link. I love perusing the diagrams and seeing how an energy-efficient house would work. I'm rather pleased whenever I see anything that's already in my house, and wonder how to integrate the rest.

There are in any case huge quantities of available solar and tidal power in selected localities with the appropriate local climates. These can be managed to give 24 hour electrical generation, but they are not where the present concentrations of population are presently found.

Minor quibble, but solar power isn't going to be generating 24 hours a day unless you live within the Arctic Circle. You already know that, though, so I'm sorry -- I'm just pedantic with language.

I wonder if it's possible that solar power could one day be a primary source of energy rather than a supplementary one. There's a lot of energy hidden in solar rays if only we could tap into it.

The problem is short-termism seeking luxury life-styles (or even basic subsistence), by simply ignoring the risks or natural disasters, and refusing to look to, or invest in, the future.

Short-termism is always a problem. Our best hope on this front is if such housing arrangements as are necessary for particular regions gain in popularity -- by celebrity endorsement or some new philosophical movement, much as I dislike admitting it -- but even then, this is going to be a finicky matter. People are more willing to customize existing houses than move out of them entirely!