Principals of permaculture

1. Observe and interact: Analysing the systems around you and developing more sustainable but still efficient ways. Understanding patterns with top down thinking and bottom up action. It is important to realise that systems interconnect with other systems and things don’t just operate in isolation then we can see the impacts, inputs and outputs needed.

2. Catch and store energy: The use of inefficient, unsustainable, non-renewable recourses such as coal, oil and gas use should be minimised and not be used as the primary energy resources. Nutrients, water and seeds can all be stored but supplies need to be replenished, long term thinking is needed so there is no shortfall.

3. Obtain a Yield: Need household an economic self-reliance. EMERGY accounting is an accounting system developed by Howard Odem in the late 1960s. It is based on energy laws, and natural systems. This is a deeper understanding and more of a challenge than the ecological footprint, providing a severe message about environmental cost, but it redefines what we mean by wealth and work.

We need to focus on achievable goals for today. Reduce our ecological footprint with self and community efficiency. The consumer verses conserver, providing positive feedback and strengthening emotional benefits within communities. Bioregions are an association of people who live together in a definable region, within this area different spices grow native species are to be incorporated as much as possible.

4. Self-regulation and accept feedback: Monitoring systems set in place, so they can evolve and change overtime. Carrying out self auditing programs can show you the overall efficiency and where wholes are, knowing and planing ahead can also help you set achievable goals over a length of time. There are going to be some changes which are more costly and will take longer to implement. Helping to rethink social change by thinking globally but acting locally, small changes in one area can often be used as a platform to start change.

5. Use and Value renewable recourses and services. At times like in nature there may be an abundance of resources, though we still need to limit consumption. In winter time we don’t often think about limiting our water consumption but in summer time when demand is higher we will stop and try to conserve, the most effective approach would be to monitor water consumption and use all year round. In existing ecosystem services we notice that other animals assist and create roles. An example is a chicken aerates the soil and acts like a tractor, grazing animals act as mowers.

6. Produce no Waste: this title fits in perfectly with the future cities idea of a waste free lifestyle. If this is the goal then the proper cycles are in balance, waste is something which we see as holding no value reanalysing this approach will help us become more sustainable. Overtime there are natural systems for the removal of what we see as waste, but if we create a backlog or high intense area it almost becomes possible for natural systems to do so.

7. Design from Patterns and details.
Often patterns can be arbitrary or inappropriate. Just like making a garment careful consideration of what pattern to follow will alter the outcome, if we want to make pants we don’t use a dress pattern, understanding the next steps in the pattern and what follows next helps to chose the most appropriate design model. In permaculture understating the land layout, soil conditions and climate will make you more successful. Trying to grow bananas in Victoria’s cooler climate will ultimately fail. The example of growing rice is a good one as it is possible but uses excessive amounts of limited resource- water.

8. Integrate rather than segregate: each element performs many functions, each element is important before the next is carried out. A holistic approach is needed, we can become blinded if look and focus on one area to long without seeing the whole picture. Mutualism relationships where we include others and not excluding offer the greatest results. Urban areas are a great example of reintegration, instead of zoning everything like work, industry, parks and housing it is more sustainable to include these into the areas so people can transport between each themselves.

9. Use Small and Slow solutions.
Tasks can be implemented instates so resources can be pooled into appropriate areas and outcomes can be achieved. The slow food movement is a great system as it looks into the avoidance of fast food not to reduce fat intake but to enjoy a lifestyle with the appreciation of food and its culture. This means we can still eat the same food but the fish is from a market, the potatoes are grown locally within the area and the lemon used for flavour is grown in your own back yard. A longer term look could be growing the potato yourself and not just a lemon but a starting direction is needed to achieve goals.

10. Use and Value diversity: This adds security as well as long term thinking and management. Relying on one source or species to deliver a result is dangerous as the saying goes don’t place all your eggs in one basket. The survival of the fittest operates at a systems level, as well as an individual level. In our diet we need a diversity of food to access different nutrients Diversity can also be of cultural significance with a certain plant that reminds you of someone, maintaining cultural diversity helps give grounding and understanding of who we are and our place within society.

11. Use edge and value the Marginal: There is an edge or interface between non-living mineral Earth and the atmosphere. Design which sees edge as an opportunity rather than a problem is more likely to be successful and adaptable. When we think of Marginal things we often get tunnel sighted and lose sense of the peripheral, following the most common obvious and popular systems are not always best. Coastlines are a good example of edge between the terrestrial and ocean, incorporating the movement of the tide many ecosystems exist. Edges can be seen in Venn Diagrams as overlapping. With life spiritual culture in the centre, abundance wealth knowledge, landscape, structures, institutions and growth succession and economy overlapping with Persons, Society, Resources and Element/ species (difference, possibility, diversity) Energy Sources and flows (EMERY flow and productivity) and Network Ecosystem connection (connection, feedback)

12. Creatively use and respond to Change: Evolutionary change is essential in permaculture, as it’s about durability and change of natural living systems and human culture. ‘We live and design in a historical context of turnover and change in systems at multiple larger scales, and this generates a new illusion of endless change with no possibility of stability or sustainability.’ * Top down change, reflect our power and relationship to the system. Start with smaller changes and increase towards the bigger problems. Focusing on external factors of a physical and biological nature, personal change can be easier faster than the external environmental factors as results can been seen and felt, making a personal connection.
*Permaculture Principles and Pathways beyond sustainability. Page 239