Nick Rosen is an author, campaigner and award-winning documentary-maker.

His book How To Live Off-Grid (published by Doubleday (June 2007) is a guide to escaping the rat race; part of an ecological campaign to change the rules on planning permission via his website Off-Grid.net started in 1996.

Hi Nick, welcome to Mutual Points.

You’ve come a long way from your shepherds hut in Deia. What would you say have been the biggest lessons you’ve learnt in that time?

That living off grid is not a radical or difficult choice. It can be done in style and comfort

You’re now living in London, is it possible to be off-grid in an urban environment?

Yes- in vans or houseboats – but also in woodland – several examples of people living on Hampstead heath for years and also in south east London

Energy security is obviously an increasingly important issue; do you think the planning environment is improving with regards to home generation?

The new govt regulations say that a sola panel or a wind turbine is permitted development in certain circumstances – we will have to see whether this has any practical effect or whether it just leads to neighbour disputes and a spate of unused wind turbines sitting forlornly on people’s roofs

We’re obviously a shopping orientated community, what tips would you have for our members to make their shopping greener?

Do less shopping, and do it via the net

There is an increasing market in green gadgetry that can help to generate electricity or reduce our footprint. What would you recommend?

Depends where you are – in a block of flats you could get together with the neighbours and build a digester in the basement which turns all organic waste into electricity or heat. Buy a kill-a-watt which allows you to measure the precise power use of all your gear. For most people it would be a step forward to take your spare room off grid (See our web site for instructions)

You met a lot of people when researching your book, would you say there is a typical ‘off-grid’ type person or does it take all sorts?

There is no typical off-gridder- from millionaires to backpackers – they all have their reasons, some want to save the planet, some just can’t afford to live any other way

Is living off-grid something that can be done on a budget or does it require large investment in equipment etc.?

Living off grid is best done on a budget

Who is your preferred choice for mayor of London?

Ken Livingstone because he recently told Thom York of Radiohead that he wanted London to go off-grid (his words)

Plastic bags have been a popular target at the moment. Do you think they are a valid concern or are there more important targets?

Plastic bags are a big enemy especially in cities – where they are everywhere like little bunnies with their ears sticking up

Likewise supermarkets are often eco enemy #1. What do you think of the eco efforts by the likes of M&S and Tesco?

They are doomed to failure in terms of real eco-benefits but i am sure they will produce positive pr for the supermarkets – they are based on the premise that we can just keep on like before as long as we make a few changes here and there, but the sad truth is that we are going to need to change radically, and the supermakets will be the victims if that happens

You can buy Nick’s book ‘How to Live Off Grid’ at all major book stores, and of course earn points back at the same time. Check out our books category for all the latest offers and stores.

Earth Day is fast approaching and in homage to our planet we’ve decided to ramp up the recycling effort here at MutualPoints.  We’ve installed a new recycling system to ensure that as much of our waste gets recycled as possible.  This particular bin has been christened Bob, feel free to say hello to Bob.

Do you have similar schemes at work?  We’re always up for new ideas so feel free to put our humble efforts to shame