WIntroduction to permaculture
By Terresa Beck, Aug 4, 2006

Permaculture is a design system for creating sustainable and ecologically sound ways to live our lives in harmony with nature. It is based on the core ethics of the caretaking of the earth-respect and stewardship for all living things, plants, animals, land, water, air and people. Permaculture is a highly positive and creative approach to finding solutions for sustainable ways of living.

Its principles are based on the twin concepts of people care and earth care. Permaculture combines architecture with ecology, blending technology, biology and natural ecological systems in balance. 

Permaculture also promotes self-reliance and community responsibility by providing access to resources necessary for existence and the sharing of information and surplus. 

Permaculture also works in creating community and self-reliance for the whole of human systems. 

These ethics of thinking and acting responsibly toward the planet and one another provides a sense of place in the larger scheme of things and serves as a guidepost to living in concert with the global community and the environment, rather than emphasizing individualism and indifference. 

The permaculture movement was initiated by Bill Mollison in the 1950s. Seeing the nature around him disappearing, he tried to bring about change with protests against the industrial systems and political parties, showing them that their indiscriminate use of natural resources and exploitation of the environment would not work in the long run. Even with his scientific background, his observations and recommendations were not addressed. He then withdrew to study how we could stop the collapse of our biological systems individually and to come up with something positive all of us could do to participate consciously in honoring the environment and ourselves. 

It wasn't until the 1970s, when Mollison joined with David Holmgren, that the word "permaculture" was coined. The permaculture community of Crystal Waters in Australia, Bill's home country, was formed, and the first experimental ground for permaculture communities was created. It's thriving today. Permaculture communities can now be found all around the world, including one in the process of developing outside San Miguel.

To learn more about permaculture's practical principles and tools for living in alignment with these ethics and proactive approaches to addressing escalating environmental and social issues of our times, email nautrescradlecollective@yahoo.com.