Permaculture is a buzzword that we hear a lot nowadays in gardening and agriculture communities but what is permaculture? It's hard to define but at its core, permaculture is a design philosophy to create sustainable and self-sufficient (eco)systems that take inspiration from nature and work to harmoniously integrate human needs into natural systems. Confused yet? Let's start at the beginning...
The Origins of Permaculture
The term permaculture was coined by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren in the 1970s in Australia, blending the words "permanent" and "agriculture." This philosophy was created in response to modernizing industrial agricultural practices, which lead to environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, and dependence on non-renewable resources. Mollison and Holmgren envisioned the creation of a sustainable agricultural system that mimics the resilience and diversity of natural ecosystems.
Core Principles and Ethics of Permaculture
Permaculture is based on a set of fundamental principles and ethics that influence our decision-making in many human endeavours. The primary ethics of permaculture include:
People Care
Earth Care
Fair Share
And more recently in response to our everchanging world,
4. Future Care
While there are numerous principles in permaculture, the 12 core principles outlined by David Holmgren are the most commonly embraced.
Observe and Interact
Catch and Store Energy
Obtain a Yield
Apply Self-Regulation and Accept Feedback
Use and Value Renewable Resources and Services
Produce No Waste
Design from Patterns to Details
Integrate Rather Than Segregate
Use Small and Slow Solutions
Use and Value Diversity
Use Edges and Value the Marginal
Creatively Use and Respond to Change
(Source: theseedlingatsagada.wordpress.com)
Applications of Permaculture
The permaculture principles and ethics can be applied beyond agricultural systems and into various aspects of life such as...
Home Gardens
Ecosystem Conservation
Agriculture
Community Development
Architecture and Urban Development
Resource Management
Self Care
And More!
The Future of Permaculture
Amidst the increasing urgency of global issues like climate change, resource depletion, and food insecurity, permaculture presents tangible solutions that can be embraced by individuals, communities, nations and businesses. Embracing permaculture in our everyday lives can enable us to reconnect with nature and realign our human endeavours with natural processes, leading toward building a more resilient world.
In essence, permaculture is not just about agriculture; it's a holistic approach to sustainable living that invites us to rethink how we interact with our environment and encourages us to design our modern lives to go beyond sustainable and become regenerative.
If you're interested in learning more about permaculture and go a little more in-depth about how it can be applied to your gardens, lives and communities, please check out my Workshops section to see when my next permaculture workshop is being held.