The Principles of Permaculture
"Permaculture.....is the conscious design and maintainance of agriculturally productive ecosystems that have the diversity, stability and resilience of natural ecosystems."
Bill Mollison
There are no great secrets or mysticism involved, Permaculture is built upon the concept of observation and the application of good old 'common sense',... something that seems to be lacking in the 'modern world'.
Permaculture (Permanent agriculture or permanent culture) is a phrase that is used to describe a range of ways in which people can create a sustainable environment for themselves and for their own community. It is based on the philosophy of co-operating with nature and caring for the earth and it's people. It includes organic growing, woodland management, recycling, alternative technology, and many other aspects of environmentally friendly agriculture and lifestyle.
In today's world of capitalism and consumerism, little thought is given to the environmental damage our actions cause. It seems that many powerful corporations and governments worldwide have chosen the 'profit first, people and the planet last' option, leaving us no choice but to design our own sustainable environments. Being more self-sufficient, developing methods of agriculture that can be sustained over long periods of time and not destroying the land by over-farming, are essential steps we must take to try and alter the damage we have already done.
Permaculture combines the skill and knowledge of any ecologically sound disciplines and enables us to establish productive environments which provide for our essential needs - food, energy, shelter, social and financial structures. The ethics, principles and practice of permaculture can be used by anyone, anywhere: in city flats, yards and window boxes; suburban and country houses and gardens, allotments and smallholdings; on farms, estates, countryside and conservation areas, woodlands, commercial, industrial and educational premises and even on waste ground.
When practised, permaculture gives the individual power to be resourceful and self-reliant, and to be a conscious and helpful part of the solution to the many problems that face us, both locally and globally. Using Permaculture, even a small back garden can be turned into a sustainable little ecosystem, that will put back into the earth, everything that you take out of it.
There are now many permaculture designers, teachers, authors and active
projects on all continents that are testament to the application of it's
principles. Permaculture is spreading around the world as more and more
people decide to actively try and halt the onslaught of environmental
destruction we have seen in the past century. It is important to remember
that we can do many things to help solve our environmental problems, we are
powerful individuals when we set our hearts and minds on something.
The philosophy and practise of permaculture empowers everyone,
whether we have land or not, to make significant life-affirming changes and
become an active part of the solution.
The Basic Permaculture principles:
* Earth care.....People care......give away surplus.....
* Work with nature; not against
* Observe nature;
use nature as a model, process, diversity
* Everything is connected;
integrated systems, holistic connections, co-operation
* Natural balance, self-regulation, use of feedback loops.
Plan, consult, modify/test, apply
* Conservation;
Make first choice: biological systems, next mechanical, last chemical
* Energy efficiency;
Minimum use from external inputs,
Maximum use of natural forces and local resources.
Using diversity
* Cyclical systems;
Recycling, turning waste into wealth.
Inputs provided by sustainable system or work.
Outputs are all used to prevent pollution.
Use of renewable resources, harness natural forces passing through the system.
Create, conserve and only finally use
* Diversity = Stability. Increase diversity,
* Minimum risk;
Spread income, risk and labour.
Have fail safe, back-ups
* Multiple functions; Maximum use of value
* Local resources to meet local needs.
Relying on and improving local resources.
Not perpetually depending on others resources
* Patterns and edge;
Working with natural patterns, maximising the edge
* Succession and change;
Accept and plan for change
* Self replication;
Reproduce system in the long term and produce surplus
* Distribution of resources;
Equitable distribution and access
* Ethics;
Frugal/equitable use to meet basic needs.
Upliftment of poorest first.
Long-term 'trusteeship' for future generations.
Co-operation and harmony making for a better way of life.
Empowerment and transparency.
Intrinsic value in all species.
Care of people and our planet.
* Create, conserve and only finally use
The principles of Permaculture extend far
beyond the agricultural aspects and can be incorporated into practically
every area of our lives.
