Permaculture 01 - Saving the World
What is the "design methodology" of Permaculture? How does that methodology affect what it offers to gardeners, to communities, and to nature?
As previously discussed in our blog, there are many issues facing us today as individuals, as families, as members or our community, and as a society at large. Whatever your opinion about the source of Climate Change, the point is that it is happening, and it threatens our continued existence. We need to make choices and take actions based upon a more holistic design than we've done previously. In changing that paradigm of thought we can create more sustainable ways of food production, extending/preserving/restoring natural ecosystems, fostering stable communities, and developing harmonious interrelationships between all of those using our only available planet.
We are really in danger of creating our own extinction. The way some have used the Earth and our resources could result in the loss of the most self-centered species on the planet, humans. While we humans consider ourselves apart from - and in command of - nature, the truth is that "Mother Nature" has existed without our interference and could definitely continue doing so long after she's repaired the damage of our presence here. We are, most assuredly, a part of and clearly dependent upon Nature. It is time to realize that we can no longer sustain the interference we have inflicted upon the Earth, it's time for a change to a more mutually beneficial method.
Permaculture can be a fundamentally central part of that change. By realizing that through simple methods to change the way we operate on a Global Scale, a National Scale, a Regional Scale, and a Personal Scale we can leave less of a footprint on our world and be a part of the solution instead of a fossil history.
The first consideration in the methodology of Permaculture is that we Care for the Earth, which means exactly what it says. We really do need to take care of the entire scope of the planet which has, up to now, been able to keep us comfortable and fed. The Earth really has given us everything that we've used to exponentially launch us from another mammal scurrying on the surface to a population now exceeding seven billion individuals. Can we continue to survive and prosper or do we just want to plunder all that's available until we can locate another planet to occupy and vanquish?
The second consideration in the methodology of Permaculture is that we Care for the People, which seems a little counter-intuitive... Hasn't that been what we've been doing that got us into this condition in the first place? There's a difference between scouring and hoarding the wealth of the planet and considering everyone holistically in our daily life. We need to consider what other people require so they may share an equal portion in the quality of their life, the fulfillment of their potential, with as little footprint as possible. Think of the old bumper sticker "Live Simply so that others may Live".
The third consideration in the methodology of Permaculture is that we Share the Surplus, in that you don't take more than you need, and you don't remove the ability of the planet's life systems to sustain themselves as well. All life is in need of the resources we consider taking solely for humans, we need to consider the entire ecosystem as well when we reach for those resources.
These are three basic principles that surround the practice of Permaculture. While these principles are essentially the design of humans, they do allow us to live on our planet and with our fellow humans in harmony. We will continue to experience dire consequences should we fail to change our previous mode of operation, but with a few slight considerations we can turn from that precipice to view a whole new horizon!
Jimmy Barrett is an Business Services Professional, working from home with a Family of four. He's enjoying the journey of learning about Permaculture and adding it's practices to his own home garden. Please note that opinions expressed by Jimmy Barrett may not be shared by Heart 2 Heart Farms, should you have any questions please feel free to email us directly.
