Just because "that's the way it has been," doesn't mean we should automatically accept that reasoning and keep on doing it, to the detriment of the planet.

People throughout time and history have been using earth-friendly materials to build their shelters. Have you ever seen those cute thatched-roofed cottages from Britain and Ireland? Guess what? They are made from Cob - an amalgalm of clay, straw, sand and earth. They are incredibly strong, good for you (breatheable) and good for the planet.

Check this stuff out!! It is amazing!!!!

www.greenhomebuilding.com/cob.htm
www.cobcottage.com/
www.thefarm.org/etc/cob.html
www.northcoast.com/~tms/cobhouse.html
www.innerexplorations.com/simpletext/acob.htm
www.deatech.com/cobcottage/

Note: many of the servers for these sites are off-the-grid, so sometimes it is a little slow. Be patient because it is really worth it. Also, these are not ads. This is informational, not commercial.