So, what is permaculture?
"Permaculture is the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems, which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems. It is the harmonious integration of landscape and people, providing their food, energy and shelter needs in a sustainable way."
- Bill Mollison
- Bill Mollison
Two men, Bill Mollison and David Holmgren, first used the term Permaculture in Australia during the 1970s.
Permaculture can be defined as PERMAnent AgriCULTURE and PERMAnent CULTURE.
Permanent Agriculture: Is a regenerative form of sustainable agriculture and animal management that mimics the tried and tested patterns and designs of nature. During the process of its implementation, it improves the fertility and productivity of the land. Permanent Agriculture builds soil by stimulating biology, whilst simultaneously providing income and produce for the people that put it into practice. In addition, it empowers the people through the inevitable process of increased conscious space combined with increased creativity, productivity and effective and harmonious design methodology that are manifested as a direct result of the process of actively putting permaculture into practice. Permaculture is essentially about abundance.
Permaculture can be defined as PERMAnent AgriCULTURE and PERMAnent CULTURE.
Permanent Agriculture: Is a regenerative form of sustainable agriculture and animal management that mimics the tried and tested patterns and designs of nature. During the process of its implementation, it improves the fertility and productivity of the land. Permanent Agriculture builds soil by stimulating biology, whilst simultaneously providing income and produce for the people that put it into practice. In addition, it empowers the people through the inevitable process of increased conscious space combined with increased creativity, productivity and effective and harmonious design methodology that are manifested as a direct result of the process of actively putting permaculture into practice. Permaculture is essentially about abundance.
Permanent Culture: Is the ethos of progressing forward whilst working with and supporting the local culture. It is about reintegrating people with nature. Our past has shaped us, but people really are part of nature. Fundamentally, people and nature is the same thing. Permaculture is all about working with both, whilst all the while learning from both, and not working against or in competition with either.
How does permaculture work? In essence, Permaculture allows us to nurture a clear understanding of the complex integral relationships between plants and animals in nature. Such relationships, although complex, are very simple to understand once explained. A permaculture design course will help develop a clear understanding of the multi functional causal relationships within nature. Such courses leave the attendees inspired and enthused with knowledge of how we can recreate the harmonious integration once again between humans and nature in a form that is beyond sustainability. Rather it is regenerative.
Where does permaculture work? Permaculture works quite literally everywhere, in urban or rural settings and on a scale from the smallest, least ambitious projects to an entirely global scale.
Who or what stands to benefit? Put plainly, applied permaculture will benefit everyone and everything!
How does permaculture work? In essence, Permaculture allows us to nurture a clear understanding of the complex integral relationships between plants and animals in nature. Such relationships, although complex, are very simple to understand once explained. A permaculture design course will help develop a clear understanding of the multi functional causal relationships within nature. Such courses leave the attendees inspired and enthused with knowledge of how we can recreate the harmonious integration once again between humans and nature in a form that is beyond sustainability. Rather it is regenerative.
Where does permaculture work? Permaculture works quite literally everywhere, in urban or rural settings and on a scale from the smallest, least ambitious projects to an entirely global scale.
Who or what stands to benefit? Put plainly, applied permaculture will benefit everyone and everything!
How?
Permaculture integrates the time served ancestral methodology of indigenous peoples with appropriate modern technology. It is an ethically sound, holistic and environmentally friendly collaboration of design systems that enable people to significantly improve the quality of life for themselves and those around them by designing and building a natural and functional living environment whilst simultaneously increasing biodiversity levels. Permaculture offers achievable solutions to all of the world’s problems, including housing, water supply, health, waste management, farming, energy, aquaculture, rivers, forests, livestock and a good deal more.
Already there are thousands of Permaculture Design graduates spreading knowledge and empowerment in over 100 countries. Such positive and uplifting news is indeed encouraging, however, its arrival is not a moment too soon.
Already there are thousands of Permaculture Design graduates spreading knowledge and empowerment in over 100 countries. Such positive and uplifting news is indeed encouraging, however, its arrival is not a moment too soon.
What’s wrong in the world?
"Humans have the idea, now centuries old, that we are above natural processes rather than immersed in them. We have thought, and continue to teach our children to think, that we can control nature, at least most of the time, and we have felt validated in this belief by the modest success of some of our inventions.
This is still a popular idea, but perhaps we’re beginning to awaken to all the ways we cannot control nature and to all the damage we cause when we try. To some – an increasing number, I hope – there is a growing attitude that we have no choice but to find our appropriate role amid the infinite webs of natural processes."
Robert Greenaway
"It is obvious to me that the forests cannot be saved one at a time, nor can the planet be saved one issue at a time: without profound revolution in human consciousness, all the forests will soon disappear. Psychologists in service to the Earth helping ecologists to gain deeper understanding of how to facilitate profound change in the human heart and mind seems to be the key at this point."
John Seed
At this time there are many problems in the world, for example:
Plainly, something is very wrong with the way we are living on the Earth.
Our current totally unsustainable living methodology is fundamentally flawed.
"Only population growth rivals consumption as a cause of ecological decline, and at least population growth is now viewed as a problem by many governments and citizens of the world. Consumption, in contrast, is almost universally seen as good – indeed, increasingly it is the primary goal of [Western] economic policy."
Alan Thein Durning
"The culture that alienates itself from the very ground of its own being – from wilderness outside (that is to say, wild nature, the wild, self-contained, self-informing ecosystems) and from that other wilderness within – is doomed to a very destructive behaviour, ultimately perhaps self-destructive behaviour."
Gary Snyder
So who created all of these problems?
Well, people of course! It is important to understand that it is people who must change their ways in order for the earth to once again become healthy. Positive change and healing action needs to come from all “levels” of society. It really should be coming from governments, businesses, workers, farmers, community groups, families, men, women, children, everyone.
Most importantly it needs to come from you.
Future generations are entirely dependent upon us taking a positive course of action.
"A depressing number of Americans believe that if only they had twice as much, they would inherit the estate of happiness promised them in the Declaration of Independence. The man who earns $15,000 a year is sure that he could relieve his sorrow if he had only $30,000 a year; the man with $1 million a year knows that all would be well if he had $2 million a year…Nobody ever has enough."
Lewis Lapham
"People actually remember few ads. Yet commercials have an effect nonetheless. Even if they fail to sell a particular product, they sell consumerism itself by ceaselessly reiterating the idea that there is a product to solve each of life’s problems, indeed the existence would be satisfying and complete if only we bought the right things. Advertisers thus cultivate needs by hitching their wares to the infinite yearnings of the human soul."
Alan Durning
"[The empty self] … seeks the experience of being continually filled up by consuming goods, calories, experiences, politicians, romantic partners, and empathic therapists in an attempt to combat the growing alienation and fragmentation of it’s era. This response has been implicitly prescribed by a post- World War ‖ economy that is dependent on the continual consumption of nonessential and quickly obsolete items and experiences. In order to thrive, [Western] society requires individuals who experience a strong “need” for consumer products and in fact, demands them."
Philip Cushman
An ever increasing number of people are aware of the far from bright future ahead of our species should we continue to live in so unsustainable a manner, to wage war with nature, to work against her rather than with her. A growing number of people are also taking their own form of action. Something is definitely happening, and we are now in very challenging and interesting times, perhaps the most challenging and significant in human history to date. It is important not to be consumed by anger or remorse, and we must be aware of the fact that we are, all of us, easily distracted by what the television, media or any other aspect of our modern Western culture causes us to perceive as important when in reality it isn’t at all. We need to put aside our perceived differences and see that we are all just people. Go outside and what do you see? People. We are all just people and our modern day Western conditioning places all the perceived barriers, differences and distinctions there. We are all just people, we are all the same species and we all have just the same needs; food, shelter, a warm dry place to sleep, the company of family and community, celebration and ritual. We need to act as one, to integrate and not segregate, and we need to embrace nature, not declare war with it.
It will not help our situation one little bit if we divide further and set off on individual crusades, burning with misdirected anger and achieving little or nothing. We need to take action, yes, but such action must be positive, creative and productive. The world does have a multitude of problems, all caused by people, and yes perhaps it could be construed that we have a fight on our hands. I do not like to use the word fight however other than in the productive sense that Bill Mollison once described; “Fight with solutions.”
Permaculture does exactly that. The holistic and regenerative practice of permaculture offers help in directing us toward a healthier environment, cultures and ultimately, people. The ethos of permaculture is based on certain ethics and principles. The ethics and principles of permaculture provide a guide toward being more responsible for;
"The Person who suppresses the animal side of his nature may become civilized, but he does so at the expense of decreasing the motive power for spontaneity, creativity, strong emotions, and deep insights. He cuts himself off from the wisdom of his instinctual nature, a wisdom that may be more profound than any that learning or culture can provide."
Calvin Hall and Vernon Nordby
Permaculture is based upon three ethics The ethics of permaculture in no particular order are;
These ethics are explained as follows:
People care
Permaculture is about improving opportunities for everyone, all of the human species. It is about improving living environment, food supply and health and well-being.
If a system enslaves, impoverishes or disadvantages anyone in any way, then it is not permaculture. Permaculture promotes the sharing of knowledge and assets. It promotes the production of an increased variety of food types and the ability to store and preserve food. It encourages the use of effective natural medicines and remedies, health and hygiene including kitchens, air quality, toilets and waste management. Permaculture encourages the development of equal rights and opportunities regardless of age or gender, and intends to reduce workloads whilst increasing productivity, and educate future generations in tradition, beliefs and knowledge combining modern techniques with traditional culture.
Earth care
"Humans have the idea, now centuries old, that we are above natural processes rather than immersed in them. We have thought, and continue to teach our children to think, that we can control nature, at least most of the time, and we have felt validated in this belief by the modest success of some of our inventions.
This is still a popular idea, but perhaps we’re beginning to awaken to all the ways we cannot control nature and to all the damage we cause when we try. To some – an increasing number, I hope – there is a growing attitude that we have no choice but to find our appropriate role amid the infinite webs of natural processes."
Robert Greenaway
"It is obvious to me that the forests cannot be saved one at a time, nor can the planet be saved one issue at a time: without profound revolution in human consciousness, all the forests will soon disappear. Psychologists in service to the Earth helping ecologists to gain deeper understanding of how to facilitate profound change in the human heart and mind seems to be the key at this point."
John Seed
At this time there are many problems in the world, for example:
- Damaged natural environments, on a global scale
- Depleted and damaged farm land, on a global scale
- Polluted rivers, lakes, land, air and oceans
- People, animals and plants are also becoming polluted, and extinction is a daily occurrence
- The vast majority of the worlds population consists of very poor people, only a very small percentage are very wealthy
Plainly, something is very wrong with the way we are living on the Earth.
Our current totally unsustainable living methodology is fundamentally flawed.
"Only population growth rivals consumption as a cause of ecological decline, and at least population growth is now viewed as a problem by many governments and citizens of the world. Consumption, in contrast, is almost universally seen as good – indeed, increasingly it is the primary goal of [Western] economic policy."
Alan Thein Durning
"The culture that alienates itself from the very ground of its own being – from wilderness outside (that is to say, wild nature, the wild, self-contained, self-informing ecosystems) and from that other wilderness within – is doomed to a very destructive behaviour, ultimately perhaps self-destructive behaviour."
Gary Snyder
So who created all of these problems?
Well, people of course! It is important to understand that it is people who must change their ways in order for the earth to once again become healthy. Positive change and healing action needs to come from all “levels” of society. It really should be coming from governments, businesses, workers, farmers, community groups, families, men, women, children, everyone.
Most importantly it needs to come from you.
Future generations are entirely dependent upon us taking a positive course of action.
"A depressing number of Americans believe that if only they had twice as much, they would inherit the estate of happiness promised them in the Declaration of Independence. The man who earns $15,000 a year is sure that he could relieve his sorrow if he had only $30,000 a year; the man with $1 million a year knows that all would be well if he had $2 million a year…Nobody ever has enough."
Lewis Lapham
"People actually remember few ads. Yet commercials have an effect nonetheless. Even if they fail to sell a particular product, they sell consumerism itself by ceaselessly reiterating the idea that there is a product to solve each of life’s problems, indeed the existence would be satisfying and complete if only we bought the right things. Advertisers thus cultivate needs by hitching their wares to the infinite yearnings of the human soul."
Alan Durning
"[The empty self] … seeks the experience of being continually filled up by consuming goods, calories, experiences, politicians, romantic partners, and empathic therapists in an attempt to combat the growing alienation and fragmentation of it’s era. This response has been implicitly prescribed by a post- World War ‖ economy that is dependent on the continual consumption of nonessential and quickly obsolete items and experiences. In order to thrive, [Western] society requires individuals who experience a strong “need” for consumer products and in fact, demands them."
Philip Cushman
An ever increasing number of people are aware of the far from bright future ahead of our species should we continue to live in so unsustainable a manner, to wage war with nature, to work against her rather than with her. A growing number of people are also taking their own form of action. Something is definitely happening, and we are now in very challenging and interesting times, perhaps the most challenging and significant in human history to date. It is important not to be consumed by anger or remorse, and we must be aware of the fact that we are, all of us, easily distracted by what the television, media or any other aspect of our modern Western culture causes us to perceive as important when in reality it isn’t at all. We need to put aside our perceived differences and see that we are all just people. Go outside and what do you see? People. We are all just people and our modern day Western conditioning places all the perceived barriers, differences and distinctions there. We are all just people, we are all the same species and we all have just the same needs; food, shelter, a warm dry place to sleep, the company of family and community, celebration and ritual. We need to act as one, to integrate and not segregate, and we need to embrace nature, not declare war with it.
It will not help our situation one little bit if we divide further and set off on individual crusades, burning with misdirected anger and achieving little or nothing. We need to take action, yes, but such action must be positive, creative and productive. The world does have a multitude of problems, all caused by people, and yes perhaps it could be construed that we have a fight on our hands. I do not like to use the word fight however other than in the productive sense that Bill Mollison once described; “Fight with solutions.”
Permaculture does exactly that. The holistic and regenerative practice of permaculture offers help in directing us toward a healthier environment, cultures and ultimately, people. The ethos of permaculture is based on certain ethics and principles. The ethics and principles of permaculture provide a guide toward being more responsible for;
- Our own lives
- Our environment
- Our future
- Our families
- Our culture
- Our natural environment
Calvin Hall and Vernon Nordby
Permaculture is based upon three ethics The ethics of permaculture in no particular order are;
- People care
- Earth care
- Fair share
These ethics are explained as follows:
People care
Permaculture is about improving opportunities for everyone, all of the human species. It is about improving living environment, food supply and health and well-being.
If a system enslaves, impoverishes or disadvantages anyone in any way, then it is not permaculture. Permaculture promotes the sharing of knowledge and assets. It promotes the production of an increased variety of food types and the ability to store and preserve food. It encourages the use of effective natural medicines and remedies, health and hygiene including kitchens, air quality, toilets and waste management. Permaculture encourages the development of equal rights and opportunities regardless of age or gender, and intends to reduce workloads whilst increasing productivity, and educate future generations in tradition, beliefs and knowledge combining modern techniques with traditional culture.
Earth care
