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Towards ecological literacy: A Permaculture approach for junior secondary science

By December 1, 2011
Permaculture

The profound lack of sustainable systems on our planet is of great concern to environmentalists, some of who are educators and some of who are permaculturists. Many of the problems facing Earth and its inhabitants are caused by a lack of ecological literacy among much of the human population. Ecological literacy includes an understanding of the scientific principles of ecology, including the recognition of limits and possibilities. It also includes an attitude of care toward the environment … [Read more...]

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There’s got to be a better way

By July 21, 2011
Drought

One of the best things about being outdoors – bottom up, head down, hands in the soil – is the way glorious smells take you by surprise. You brush up against a plant, inadvertently step on a wildflower, or crumble the dirt in your hands, and suddenly your nose is in overdrive. As soon as it happens, you begin sniffing madly, hoping against hope that tiny bit of heaven hasn’t already left this world for the next. A satisfied sigh follows the sniff, and you self-consciously realize you’re … [Read more...]

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Postcards from a low-energy future: now

By April 6, 2011
Student design

Upon entering Bayan Ulgii province we saw no trees until we finally arrived in Ulgii City. Locals can remember that only two generations ago, the river flats of Ulgii City, and much of the rest of the province, were covered in trees. Just like the Lorax in Dr. Suess' fable, all were cut down for winter fuel and building materials. No carbon offset here The next thing to greet us is the coal-fired powerplant which powers this remote urban-rural settlement, providing central heating for … [Read more...]

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A more flavorful, meaningful life

By February 9, 2011
Mongolian farm workers.

Food security has been defined as "access by all people at all times to sufficient food for an active and healthy life. Food security includes at a minimum: the ready availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods, and an assured ability to acquire food in socially acceptable ways (without resorting to emergency food supplies, scavenging, stealing and other coping strategies for example).” Food Culture refers to how we experience our food – from field to plate – and how it … [Read more...]

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How community is like a garden

By October 1, 2010
Mother and son find play in life. Lynn Crounse Photography

Have you ever sat still in a garden and focused your attention on the symphony of life around you?  Perhaps you lifted some mulch and witnessed the soil teaming with life just below the surface – insects, nematodes, bacteria, worms, mycelia mats, young sprouts, rotting debris – all dancing in unison to the fecundity of life. Observe and flow with nature As an instructor in Permaculture, a whole-systems design methodology developed from careful observation of the complex adaptive systems … [Read more...]

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Live and let die: Permaculture primer

By September 20, 2010
Termite mound inspires home insulation

A brief permaculture primer Permaculture urges humans to imitate nature. It's an idea worth considering now more than ever. As we face a triple-threat of James Bond villains -- peak oil, climate change, and the Great Recession -- many things are clearly going wrong with the industrial world's plan. Nature, on the other hand, has been able to run things pretty well on Earth for a few billion years. So, if we're interested in sustaining our civilization a bit longer, maybe it's time to pay … [Read more...]

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