Permaculture combines ethics, ecological principles and design strategies to create healthy, productive and non-polluting sustainable systems and settlements.
Permaculture is working with nature to make a better world for all.
By observing the natural world we can see that there are a set of principles at work. Permaculture design uses these principles to develop integrated systems to provide for our needs of food, water, shelter, energy and community in ways that are healthy and efficient. Through permaculture design we can improve the quality and productivity of our individual lives, our society and our environment.
The word permaculture was coined in the 1970s by Australian ecologists, Dr. Bill Mollison and David Holmgren, as a contraction of permanent agriculture, with an implication of permanence in culture.
• Takes nature as the best model of sustainable systems – a form of 'eco-mimicry'
• Is a practical and pragmatic approach which draws together tools and methodologies from diverse disciplines, crafts and professions
• Is now a global multi-cultural network operating in over 120 countries
• Is 100% solutions focussed, attracts and empowers young people, and
• Is one of the fastest growing sustainability networks in the world.
Permaculture has an ethical basis:
Earthcare – enabling all life systems to continue and increase
Peoplecare – enabling access to the resources people need for a good standard of living and quality of life
Limits to population and consumption – to share resources for Earthcare and Peoplecare
What others say
“I truly believe that we have the ability to change for the better... through permaculture! We can begin to mend the earth and alleviate the stress that many people are facing. Permaculture is the future — that is, if we want to secure a future of independence and dignity for all.”
Princess Basma bint Ali of Jordan, speaking at the opening of the Tenth International Permaculture Conference (IPC10)
“Permaculture is an approach to meeting human needs while increasing ecosystem."
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