Why Permaculture Design?
by Michelle Avis

Peak oil, loss of diversity, species extinction, conspiracy, oil spills, food insecurity... the problems that we face seem to increase both in size and complexity every day. However, we can simplify all of these global issues and emphasize three primary concerns. In order of increasing priority, the three biggest issues are:

• Pollution
• Deforestation
• Soil destruction and erosion

Biology is remarkable in its ability to break down and lock up pollutants. Mushrooms have been shown to be effective in breaking down hydrocarbons and even nuclear waste. However, without soil and without forests, we are unable to support the biology required to deal with pollution.

We continue deforestation at record rates, which further emphasizes soil loss. In addition, removal of our forests is removing the planet’s most important energy transducer and climate stabilizer. Without forests we will not have a stable climate.

Last year the world lost 83 billion tons of topsoil. Healthy topsoil is the most biodiverse ecosystem of which we know. Without it, life could not be sustained on this planet.

Many other issues are only second generation problems to these primary factors. What this exposes is that recycling, biofuels, CO2 sequestration, wind turbines, and solar panels aren’t going to cut it unless we deal with soil loss.

The good news is that people around the world are spreading the word that all our problems: pollution, deforestation, and soil loss, can be solved in a garden. This is such an empowering message, as we can forget about being paralyzed by fear and focusing energy into negative issues we have no control over (i.e. peak oil, climate change, etc) and we realize that each and every one of us has the opportunity to profoundly shift the course of humanity with the simple act of stewarding soil.

Three years ago, after travelling the world looking for solutions to the environmental problems facing us, my husband Rob and I came across a little-known concept called permaculture, which was originally created by Australians Mollison & Holmgren in the 1970s. When applying permaculture design, our common ethic is: Care of Earth, Care of People, and Return of Surplus. Our decisions are not based on frivolous beliefs, but based on practical and natural constraints, ultimately allowing us to live in harmony with the ecology. We look to nature as our teacher—this is how we create sustainable and permanent cultures.

Here are some examples of applying permaculture principles and harmonizing our human design with nature’s design:

• Currently, approximately 30-40% of the energy consumed by society is invested into the delivery of potable water and the removal of sewage. If cities adopted rain water catchment, greywater, composting toilets, and landscape water harvesting we could stop this monumental misallocation of finite energy resources.
• If consumers started demanding that architects, engineers, and city planners face homes to the sun, rather than to the direction of the best view, we could eliminate 30% of a household’s heating energy. Add in super insulation and efficient design and we further reduce heating and electrical needs by up to 90%.
• It has been estimated that 10 units of hydrocarbon energy are used to produce 1 unit of food energy (i.e. calorie). This problem could largely be alleviated if we converted the most energy wasteful icon on the planet (the lawn) into food production.

Over the past three years, we have been transforming our urban home and lot in Calgary, Alberta, based on permaculture design principles. We have built a 200 square foot passive solar greenhouse, developed intensive food production including a food forest garden and veggie gardens, installed water collection and water recycling, extensive composting, energy-efficient retrofits on our home, and have even demonstrated some natural building techniques using earth and clay. Hundreds of visitors per year come to visit during our Open Yard events, and hundreds more learn about permaculture design through our courses and workshops.

Join the fastest growing movement for positive change on this planet. For more information simply google permaculture or visit our website www.vergepermaculture.ca.

Rob Avis and his wife Michelle run the Calgary-based consulting and education company Verge Permaculture (www.vergepermaculture.ca), which specializes in creating sustainable human environments using whole-systems philosophies and working with nature. Offering a wealth of knowledge and experience from around the world and bringing together mechanical engineering, renewable energy, and permaculture systems, their portfolio includes a three-month volunteer position at the Permaculture Research Institute in Australia, a six-month sabbatical learning about renewable energy systems in Denmark, and off-the-beaten track travels throughout Mexico examining sustainable agriculture practices. For more information visit their website above or call (403) 770-9789.