What is Permaculture? (short version)

Permaculture is a holistic design practice that aims to create ecologically sound and economically prosperous human settlements that provide for our needs, whilst benefitting the environment as a whole. This means moving beyond sustainability, to regenerate the ecosystems that are the very basis for all life on earth. 

Is it no secret that the practices sustaining the majority of humanity today are having the opposite effect. Industrial agriculture, monoculture forestry, thoughtless waste disposal and many others are destroying the lands, rivers, lakes and oceans that we all depend on for food and water. Continuing down this path, how long can we expect our tenure on this planet to last?

Permaculture is a response to this problem and centres around our responsibility to care for the earth and its people so that future generations may continue to flourish. Permaculture provides a set of guiding principles inspired by the patterns and functions of natural ecosystems resulting in practical solutions that take the pressure off the extractive and polluting systems that degrade our planet. 

These are often small and low-cost solutions that we have all heard of. Catching our own water, growing our own food, composting and using renewable energy are things many of us can be doing today. They require minimal investment but offer the greatest possible return: a healthier planet for our children.

When we design with nature in mind we increase diversity, stability and resiliency, initiating a positive feedback loop that serves to reconnect us both physically and spiritually to Mother Earth. Connection fosters guardianship, which stimulates regeneration resulting in an ever increasing abundance. Abundance will create new opportunities in ecologically sound economies cultivating a permanent human culture.  

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