Ethics and Principles of Permaculture
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Ethics and Principles of Permaculture
In his book Permaculture: Principles and Pathways beyond Sustainability, David Holmgren writes, “Ethics act as constraints on survival instincts and the other personal and social constructs of self-interest that tend to drive human behaviour in any society. They are culturally evolved mechanisms for more enlightened self-interest, a more inclusive view of who and what constitutes ‘us’, and a longer-term understanding of good and bad outcomes.”
Ethics of Permaculture
- Care for the earth (husband soil, forests and water)
- Care for people (look after self, kin and community)
- Fair share (set limits to consumption and reproduction, and redistribute surplus).
The Twelve Principles of Permaculture
- Observe & Interact
- Catch & Store Energy
- Obtain a Yield
- Apply Self-regulation & Accept Feedback
- Use & Value Renewable Resources and Services
- Produce No Waste
- Design From Patterns to Details
- Integrate Rather Than Segregate
- Use Small and Slow Solutions
- Use and Value Diversity
- Use Edges and Value the Marginal
- Creatively Use and Respond to Change