Introduction to Permaculture Ethics
Permaculture is a blueprint for sustainable, ethical and eco-friendly living.
There are three key ethics that underpin a permaculture approach:
Care of our planet,
Care of humankind,
Fair share (and a return of surplus into the system).
Care of Our Planet:
In permaculture, the natural world is not something distinct to be battled against. It is by working in harmony with nature that we are best able to harness its powers and live well and ethically. Protecting the Earth’s system is something that logically progresses towards our own self-interest. If we pollute the air in which we breathe, if we infect the water which we drink or if we destroy the land (the soil) which is the source of our nutriment, this will definitely lead us towards our destruction. We have to save our planet rather than destroying it for our stupid and meaningless reasons, in the name of development.
In the modern world, all too often, we are fighting against nature when we should be working as part of it. As we often ignore that, every living or non-living thing present on this our own precious world has its importance. Confused? It is scientifically proven that all living and non-living system is interconnected and interdependent if by chance one is affected the other will be affected as well. Other then food production, the Earth provides us with the forests, the lungs of the Earth, as they are the source of fresh air in which we breathe. Playing the pivotal role in supplying the clean water for living beings, the water cycle is also connected to the forests, as they are the primary source of rain. Permaculture helps us to redress the balance and live in a way that provides for our needs without harming our ecosystem.
Care of Humankind:
Caring for others and, crucially, considering equality, is vital to transitioning into a sustainable future. Caring for people not only includes the close ones (relatives), caring for humankind means every human being who is part of your life, in any way, you neighbours, co-worker, employees, your sub-ordinates etc. This very own world is incomplete without community, we have to live here in the shape of towns, villages, cities etc. By collaborating with each other, we fulfil our basic needs, as individuals, we cannot produce each and everything that we need for living our lives. Trading is an essential part of our life; we have to exchange things or money to get the desirables. We have a phrase “One man army” but logically speaking one man cannot be an army. We have to depend on each other in every aspect of our lives. The example from the field of construction best fits here, as the contractor or engineer cannot complete even a small project without the help of their labour team. They work as a team to complete significant tasks. They have to work together to build a large and massively high building. So living in a society we have to care for each other. That is the Ancient tradition; they also lived in communities and build the society system.
Food and energy are both essential for life, and everyone in the growing global population can have plenty of both, as long as there is some thought for the fair distribution of resources. We must always spare a thought for the impacts of our actions on others, both locally and around the world.
Fair Share & Return of Surplus to the System:
Permaculture espouses a consideration for cyclical systems and the fair distribution of the resources available on our planet. Every possible thing on this Earth has a limit, and extensive usage of the specific item will lead to its shortage, whatever it is or how massive it is. Wastage of resources available on this planet is complete non-sense and would definitely lead us to salvation. Any surplus, says permaculture, should be returned to the system. This is easy to understand when it comes to the garden, homestead or hobby farm, where composting systems return ‘waste’ to enrich the soil, which then remains fertile and rich enough to produce a good yield. Returning surplus to the system can also be applied in broader senses, through recycling and other waste management systems. It is better to construct something or to assemble anything usable than spreading the wastage in surroundings. It is proven that throwing wastage is undoubtedly against ethics; on the other hand, it’s also very harmful to our health. Even waste of eatable things produces poisonous gasses those can seriously affect our physical conditions.
Permaculture is about creating a ‘permanent agriculture’ or – in its broader sense – a ‘permanent culture’ that can allow humanity and our planet to survive (and thrive) for generations to come.
