In November, I had the opportunity to give two workshops at Power Shift Canada, a national youth conference focused on climate change and action. In these sessions, we explored some of the ways that we communicate to others about climate change,
What is "permaculture" anyways? At its simplest, permaculture is an eco-logical approach to design. It can be described as a way of thinking, making decisions and designing things based on observing nature. Permaculture has a set of ethics and design principles, which can be applied to physical things - like farms and landscapes - as well as to invisible things - like business models and our personal lives.
The word has its roots in "permanent" and "agriculture". Indeed, a large part of permaculture design courses focuses on land-based techniques and examples. No wonder so many people think permaculture can only be used on the land. I have the impression that for most folks, the word "permaculture" evokes the ideas of homesteading, organic farming, forest gardens, chicken tractors, sheet mulching and swales. Yes, it can involve all of these things AND it offers so much more too!
When I hear about "the bad economy", I find it easy to fall down the slippery slope of fear into scarcity mode. I would describe both scarcity and abundance as self-reinforcing loops - the more we sow, the more we reap, and the more we have new seeds to sow again more of the same. Gladly, I've been reminded recently that abundance can be found and cultivated, even in hard times.
In Perth, Ontario, we've been thoroughly enjoying the beginning of summer, which has brought with it, among other things, the opening of our farmers' market and lots of fresh locally-grown food. I find that something to celebrate! For a few weeks now, I've been doing barter with a farmer friend, helping out at their market stall and on their farm in exchange for organic veggies.
As someone with a desire to enrich life, which is intertwined with my permaculture ethics to "care for people" and "care for the Earth", sometimes I ask myself "What can I do to make more of a difference?" With frustration sometimes, my inner critic, the "jackal voices" as we call them in Nonviolent Communication, tell me that I'm not doing enough. My need to contribute is not being fully met! However, after a day like today, I'm reminded that we really CAN have an impact.
Today, we spent most of the day at Montague Public School, where we led discussions with four classes and a group of teachers about their plans and ideas to make their school "greener". In the afternoon, we played a "web of life" game with the students and saw the entire school (in groups of 15-20) in a whirlwind of an hour and 15 minutes! I was most touched to see the interactions between the older students and the younger ones. I noticed an older student holding the hand of a little girl in his group, guiding her into the classroom. A couple of the grade 7 and 8 students leaned over to help the smaller junior and senior kindergarten kids read their cards during our group activity.
What is "permaculture" anyways? At its simplest, permaculture is an eco-logical approach to design. It can be described as a way of thinking, making decisions and designing things based on observing nature. Permaculture has a set of ethics and design principles, which can be applied to physical things - like farms and landscapes - as well as to invisible things - like business models and our personal lives.
When I hear about "the bad economy", I find it easy to fall down the slippery slope of fear into scarcity mode. I would describe both scarcity and abundance as self-reinforcing loops - the more we sow, the more we reap, and the more we have new seeds to sow again more of the same. Gladly, I've been reminded recently that abundance can be found and cultivated, even in hard times.
Today, we spent most of the day at Montague Public School, where we led discussions with four classes and a group of teachers about their plans and ideas to make their school "greener". In the afternoon, we played a "web of life" game with the students and saw the entire school (in groups of 15-20) in a whirlwind of an hour and 15 minutes! I was most touched to see the interactions between the older students and the younger ones. I noticed an older student holding the hand of a little girl in his group, guiding her into the classroom. A couple of the grade 7 and 8 students leaned over to help the smaller junior and senior kindergarten kids read their cards during our group activity.
