Recycling Old Jargon for a New Generation Going Green

Just like the New Age Movement, the terms permaculture and sustainability are not new concepts.

 “Permaculture is about sustainable human settlements. It is a philosophy and an approach to land use which weaves together microclimates, annual and perennial plants, animals, soils, water   management, and human needs into intricately connected, productive communities”   - 
- Bill Mollison

At the center of permaculture design and practice is a basic set of ‘core values’ or ethics which remain constant regardless of the application i.e. for a town, a forest or a backyard farm. These ethics are sometimes defined as follows:

·       Earthcare  – recognising that Earth is the source of all life (and is possibly itself a living entity — see Gaia theory), that Earth is our valuable home, and that we are a part of Earth, not apart from it. Agriculturalists traditionally exploit soil, plants and animals so intensely that serious internal (e.g. diseases, soil erosion, decrease of production through the years) as well as external problems (e.g. pollution from fertilizers, human diseases originating from farm factories) occur. Permaculturalists have introduced new ways of practicing agriculture, based on moderate yet problem-free rates of production. These ways are fundamental in restoring a mutually beneficial (and healthy) relationship between man and the environmental factors indispensable to his survival.  

·       Peoplecare  – supporting and helping each other to change to ways of living that do not harm ourselves or the planet, and to develop healthy societies.  

·       Fairshare  (or placing limits on consumption) - ensuring that Earth's limited resources are used in ways that are equitable and wise.  

The concept of permaculture was born out of the need to develop a whole new set of values that are contrary to large scale modern agriculture, especially monoculture where a single crop is the goal.

Today, we use the term 'sustainability' rather than permaculture because it encompasses more than a agricultural basis.  The other reason, perhaps more indicative, is that the term permaculture is actualy a trademarked name. It was intended as a vehicle to perpetuate the idealogy through the teaching of permaculture and to certify Permaculture Designers via a strict set of principles and lessons.

Although permaculture design principles are mainstream in the jargon used when discussing sustainability, their is a subculture of permaculture enthusiasts who endorse these principles not so much from a systems standpoint, but from a social and lifestyle perspective.

Hence the term, 'Permaculture Activist', or one who is politically involved in influencing society and local governments to endorse permacuture principles and values within a public policy platform.

Indeed these ideas are starting to take  hold within local governments that create new sustainability ordinances that cover water conservation principles, solar energy use, recycling and other lifestyle choices that can to a certain degree, be regulated.

Agriculturally, the concept of small-scale farmers markets and home gardens for food production is gaining popularity as people blend values of supporting local growers, buying organic and eating healthy with reducing carbon footprint creation found in most mainstream forms of food production and distribution.