Facts About Sustainable Living Through Permaculture

Today, the importance of sustainable living has become more important and popular than ever. Basically, more people are trying to use the Earth’s resources in a way that they give back whatever they take.

The world is becoming increasingly aware that the Earth’s resources aren’t unlimited. Permaculture is one of the solutions for sustainability. Here are some must-know facts about the topic:

Fact #1: Involves sustainable ecological systems
Permaculture actually involves several scientific branches, including:

Ecological construction/design
Ecological engineering
Environmental design
Integrated water resources management

The goal  is to develop agricultural systems/habitats that are self-maintained and regenerative.

Other goal  is to observe various natural systems that already exist. The basis of permaculture is for people to observe their environment and then adapt to their natural systems. After they can do that better, they can better manage systems for food, water, shelter, medicine, etc.

Fact #2: The term “permaculture” was coined in 1978
Two Australians, Bill Mollison and David Holmgren coined the term “permaculture” in the late 1970s. At first, the term actually referred to “permanent agriculture.” However, with time, the term expanded and now also includes “permanent culture.”

It’s based on the farming philosophy of an individual named Masanobu Fukuoka. Fukuoka was responsible for expanding the term “permaculture” to include the social components of a culture. The reason is that they are also critical to a system that is fully sustainable.

Fact #3: Includes various key basic principles

Some of the basic principles include:

Conservation: People should only use the resources that they require.

Shared surplus: Extra supplies and systems should be shared with others in the community.

Collecting various functions: People should get several outputs from one element in a system. For example, a tree should provide food, shelter, etc.

Fact #4: Has new advancements and programs

The North American Permaculture Convergence (NAPC) is one of the fields of permaculture’s top advancements. NAPC is a collection of various professionals in the field who are fully qualified and willing to share their own knowledge with other people.

Besides NAPC, other organizations exist, which go to various communities in order to share the principles of permaculture. Some of these organizations visit schools located in remote areas, where little technology is available. This allows them to share knowledge and principles related to permaculture with the children there, as well as others who are interested in the topic.

The key benefit of this process is that people who learn about it can then share what they’ve learned with relatives, friends, and neighbors. Within time, entire communities can learn about what permaculture is, and how to use it in their everyday lives. The ultimate result is that they will use more sustainable resources in their everyday lives, and thus promote their conservation.

The importance of this sort of approach increases yearly, as the effects of global warming and the dwindling resources of the earth become an increasing problems. It is hoped that this approach will continue to make a difference.

Useful Facts And Latest Projects On Permaculture

Are you concerned with whatever is happening to our world right now? Pollution, global warming and other ecological and environmental issues are rampant right now. Luckily, there are still individuals who are concerned about our nature and society. These said individuals have devised different ways in order for us to be able to still live our lives without harming our environment too much. Among these said innovations is permaculture. Never heard of it? Then please read on and keep yourself informed.

What is Permaculture?

Basically, permaculture is a branch of ecological engineering, integrated water resources management, environmental design, and ecological construction and design. This branch aims to develop regenerative and self-maintained agricultural systems and habitats. It also aims to develop and maintain able architectures.

It is a natural science that originated in observing the different natural systems that already exist. The basic principles of permaculture ask individuals to observe their surroundings and to adapt to their natural systems. Once individuals are able to adapt more efficiently, they will be able to manage systems for water, food, medicine, shelter, and etc. more effectively.

How did Permaculture start?

Australians David Holmgren and Bill Mollison coined the term permaculture (as a scientific and systematic method) in 1978. Originally, the term permaculture used to refer to “permanent agriculture”. However, as time passed, the definition of the term permaculture expanded and now includes “permanent culture”. This expansion in the definition of permaculture was brought about by the natural farming philosophy of Masanobu Fukuoka. According to Masanobu, he expanded the definition of permaculture to include the social aspects of a culture since they are also vital to a fully sustainable system.

What are the principles of Permaculture?

Permaculture has several basic principles. Some of which include:

  • Amassing different functions. In permaculture, this basically means that you should be able to get many outputs from a single thing (element) in your system. For instance, if you have a tree in your system, then that would be able to provide shelter, materials for construction, a food source, and etc.
  • Conservation. This is a very important principle in permaculture. It states that you should only really use what you need.
  • Share your surplus. If you have an abundant system and supplies, do not hoard it for yourself. Share and give it away to other individuals in your community.

Latest Advancements and Programs On Permaculture

NAPC, or the North American Permaculture Convergence is one of the leading advancements in the field of permaculture. Basically, the NAPC is a gathering of different professionals in the field of permaculture who are fully capable, qualified and are willing to share their knowledge with others. They even conduct seminars, provide tips, share their latest discoveries and etc.

Aside from NAPC, there are also a lot of other NGOs and organizations that go to different communities in order to teach the principles of permaculture. Some of these organizations even visit schools in very remote areas where technology is not really available, therefore making knowledge of permaculture relatively rare. When they get there, these experienced individuals share their knowledge towards the children and everyone willing to listen.

These are just some of the facts and latest advancements and projects regarding permaculture. If you are willing, you should also take part in this and help spread the word out!

Permaculture Benefits

Permaculture is a natural science that is rooted in observing the natural systems we already have in place. The principles of Permaculture ask us to observe our surroundings and adapt to our natural systems.

This allows us to efficiently manage systems for food, water, shelter, medicine and more. In order to utilize this form of agriculture management, we must rely on sciences, architecture, nutrition, holistic healing along with traditional ecological knowledge in order to make the most of what we have.

What it’s about

Employing the practice of sustainability in our agriculture and ecosystems is hardly a new concept. Many of the first people who first stepped foot onto our planet employed these techniques and concepts to manage the crops and their agriculture to ensure that enough.

The surplus was produced to feed everyone and their families. By employing the principles of Permaculture, but have the potential to restore a damaged ecosystems and our environment without having to take drastic measures.

The sustainable management technique doesn’t have to apply to just one specific area of food production. You can employ the same principles in regards to your farm, ranch, or even your backyard. By taking steps to ensure that we are producing food sustainably, a variety of solutions and benefits are provided to those who choose to undertake these simple steps.

How does it work? All you

In order to employ these principles effectively, we must ask ourselves how we can sustain ourselves provide for our needs and the needs of the environment for any amount of time without wasting supplies, energy, and space.

Permaculturists seek inspiration from their natural environment to develop and create a system that will benefit not only themselves, but the environment and the species within that environment. For example, when renovating a house at Permaculture designer will attempt to utilize the site’s resources that are already available.
The whole idea is to work with what already have if at all possible.

What Are The Benefits?

People that employ the principles of Permaculture are eager to report that less supplies and labor are required to manage farms at maximum production. Some other potential benefits include:

Water Resources are managed properly:

Rainwater will be conserved as much as possible to water crops and provide safe and fresh water to livestock. Only when the natural rain water is completely out, will farmers rely on un-natural sources of water, such as from the pipes from the city.

2) While farming with Permaculture concepts in mind, when they notice that the farmer attempts to utilize as much space as possible and will attempt to plant as much cost as possible without overcrowding the plants and crops. However the careful organization of the system provides an illusion of spaciousness.

Safe food resources: whoever consumes the food can rest assured knowing that food is not genetically modified and does not contain harmful chemicals that will have potential undesirable effects on whoever consumes food. The food is fresh and contains more nutrients and vitamins than the food you would normally find at your grocery store.

If a garden is planted with the same principles in mind around the community center, a school, a backyard, the providers of the garden they find an opportunity to educate their fellow neighbors, students, or children about the potentials and benefits Permaculture has to offer.

How can I educate myself about Permaculture?

You don’t need to go to a fancy college or enroll in several complicated and time-consuming courses. Resources are available all around you. You can always seek information from the library and it’s always highly recommended that you seek information freely without having to pay for anything by utilizing the Internet.

Video sites such as YouTube also provide valuable resources in obtaining information and learning all there is to know about Permaculture. If however you want to educate yourself quickly and ensure that all your resources and the lessons are in one place and organized, perhaps it would be wise to obtain high quality reputable course.

A simple web search may provide you with the resources you are looking for.

You can read and learn more here

Bill Mollison: The “Father” Of Permaculture


Bill Mollison was born 1928 in Australia. He was considered an assortment of things, including a scientist and teacher. Most notably, he was the icons of Permaculture.

However, it was Joseph Russell Smith who first produced any actual literature on the subject. His book “Tree Crops” was published in 1929, with the following title “Breeding and Use of Tree Crops” being published in 1910.

It wasn’t until 1978 that Mollison would collaborate with David Holmgren, and their efforts would be combined into one book titled Permaculture One. Bill Mollison would be responsible for creating the Permaculture Institute based in Tasmania Australia. Your people with the sunlight hindsight could go to learn all there is to know about Permaculture and get hands-on instruction.

This college of sorts is responsible and credited with having taught thousands of people on how to grow food in a sustainable manner that encompasses the world and people as a whole.

In essence, this radical method was inspired when observing human beings were beginning to realize the toll our actions have on this planet.

The Permaculture Method

Permaculture is a tool that is effective for producing low carbon had a productive food systems. Most people stumble upon or put the method to practice in their own garden or farm. However, Permaculture is not just about growing food. When employing the method the possibilities are endless and can be applied to many things in life.

For some this starting method can be considered a combination of meditation and gardening all-in-one. In order to use this method effectively means connecting to the world and nature’s patterns around us.
A student of Permaculture

Permaculture relies on observing the natural systems around us in order to create an effective method that will benefit everyone including the planet. Essentially, it’s about creating a beneficial relationship between all the individual elements in our habitat and making sure that all the benefits and drawbacks balance one another.

The Principles

In order to apply the principles we must first learn a little about them. At the core of the sustainable production method, there are three ethics. The three ethics are as follows:

Care and Management of the Planet

How can we as humans create a sustainable method of production will take care of everyone as a whole? In order to be effective, you need to take into consideration and how effective this method is easy to implement, and how to pass this on to the upcoming generations. Only when we can create a method that is easy to follow and share with others, can we create a tradition that will be taken upon the upcoming generations. Also, in every decision we make, you must consider how it will benefit or have a negative impact on our planet.

Care and Management of Our People

The whole point of Permaculture is for people to understand our basic needs such as food, shelter, education, a healthy work in social relationships with others. Only when we can focus on these needs can we develop a system that benefits not just our people but our planet as well. This is the core responsibility of this movement.

Care and Management of Our Resources

We only have one planet. Once this one is gone and deteriorated, there are no others to take its place. This is why we need to be careful about what we do with our actions impact our planet. We need to be truly thankful for our resources to learn to manage them well. Nothing should be wasted, instead it should be recycled if at all possible.


All being said and done, Permaculture does not require a science degree to master. All that one needs to learn to master this sustainable method of production, is the desire to learn, to constantly improve, and to be able to look at the picture as a whole. There is a variety of resources online that contain valuable information. We highly recommend you first begin your research with the “Father” of Permaculture.