Permaculture, The Way of Life Towards Sustainable Living

I guess everyone is familiar with the term sustainable living, and the cost associated with having to adopt the technology part of it. In this article however, another way of life known as Permaculture, a combination of two words – permanent and culture, is another alternative route towards sustainability. It is the science of using natural functions to create an environment that is sustainable in all its functions and in every way. It is the creation of sustainable human habitats by following nature’s patterns. It uses the diversity, stability and resilience of natural ecosystems to provide a framework and guidance for people to develop their own sustainable solutions to the problems facing their world, on a local, national or global scale. It is based on the philosophy of co-operation with nature and caring for the earth and its people.

Permaculture Definition

• A globally recognized environmental design methodology.
• A holistic ecological approach to the design and development of human settlements that takes into account food production, structures, technologies, energy, natural resources, landscape, animal systems, plant systems, and social and economic structures.
• About working with, rather than against nature. It provides the tools to satisfy our needs in a way that sustains the earth, future generations and ourselves.
• Inspired by traditional wisdom, especially the sustainable farming cultures of Asia, India and Africa and incorporates new appropriate methods and technologies.
  

Ethics & Principles
Essentially, the 3 pillars of Permaculture consisted of,
Earth Care – is about working with nature, not against it – not using natural resources unnecessarily or at a rate at which they cannot be replaced. It also means using outputs from one system as inputs for another and so minimizing wastage.
People Care – is about looking after ourselves as individual and everyone in a community as people, not just the world we live in. Self-reliance, co-operation and support of each other should be encouraged. People care is also about our legacy to future generations.
Fair Share – is about having to share the earth we live in – with each other, with other living things, and with future generations. Limiting our consumption, especially of natural resources, and working for everyone to have access to the fundamental needs of life – clean water, clean air, food, shelter, meaningful employment, and social contact.

Permaculture and Sustainability
Sustainability is “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (UN Agenda 21). Sustainability of the environment, systems, and the people is a central concept that the Permaculture Design Systems provides solutions for.
Permaculture is a design system for creating sustainable human environments. The ecological and biological processes of the land, plants, animals, nutrient cycles, climatic factors and weather cycles are all examined and incorporated into a productive, functional Permaculture System. Elements in each system are viewed in relation to other elements, and the outputs of one element become the input of another. Inhabitants’ needs are provided for through proven technologies for food, energy, shelter and infrastructure. Within Permaculture Systems, work is minimized, “wastes” becomes resources, productivity and yields increase, and the environment is restored.

Permaculture aims to create stable productive systems that provide for human needs, harmoniously integrating the land with the people not only for today but also the future.

In The Star article dated 24th July, 2010 by Joleen Lunjew, Permaculture is slowly and surely developing in Malaysia.

A Dane, by the name of Shaykh Hassan Henning Pedersen, who lives in Indonesia, is a naturopathic doctor, permaculture designer and master of several martial arts systems with more than 25 years of experience in sustainable living. He has been involved with NGOs and activists since he was a teenager but only got into permaculture a decade ago. Pedersen was in Malaysia organizing workshops and teaches hands-on permaculture.

Among Pedersen’s main efforts in walking the talk is transforming his home in East Java into an eco-friendly showhouse where water catchments are used to collect rainwater, which in turn is used to breed fish and water the plants. He grows plants wherever possible and uses kitchen and fish waste as fertiliser. Pedersen does not own a car and eats 80% of his food raw.
“I have travelled to 26 different countries in 20 years and have never needed a car. It’s too destructive to the environment. I’d rather take public transportation. Regarding food, good enzymes are killed at 40°C, so why consume food that has less nutrients? Apparently, his whole family adopts a similar eating habit, and his eldest son, who is 9½ years old, has never been sick in his life.”

Pedersen’s way of life has inspired many to start practicing sustainable living. Among his students, Atika Irfan, 36, says she hopes to learn how to become more sustainable after completing her workshop.
The Pakistani, who has been living in Malaysia with her Malaysian husband for 14 years, is now thinking about building a rainwater catchment system, rearing her own fish and prawns, and starting her own salad garden. She currently buys only local products from the local markets to minimize consumption of imported food.
“Over the years, she had realized that companies are all about making profit. Our meat is contaminated with hormones, and chemical pesticides have been making us ill. My mum’s medication costs RM500 each month for 30 pills. Health problems run in my family. I can’t afford the cures so I don’t wish to be sick,” says Atika.

Another student, Awaludin Mohal, 68, is moving towards making his 0.8ha land in Janda Baik fully sustainable in preparation for the peak oil phenomenon. Analysts believe that when the oil runs out, the economy will collapse and food will become scarce — Awaludin is giving himself a headstart.
“Food will be a problem when the economy collapses. History shows that people will even kill for food, just like during the 1930s Great Depression. I have to think about my family. It’s better to be prepared than sorry,” he says.
Awaludin grows all sorts of vegetables on his farm and rears his own chickens, geese and fish.
“I’m looking to grow worms and maggots for my chickens. Worms are also good for the soil. I feed my carp banana leaves and my tilapia eats tapioca leaves,” adds Awaludin, who plans to build an eco-friendly house in the near future.

However, permaculture had made it presence in Malaysia sometime ago, in the small town of Batu Arang. A small community of permaculturist have been living and practicing exactly what have been described herewith for quite awhile. The community teaches, does training and host permaculturist from all over the world whom drop-by every now and then. Check out Embun Pagi and you will probably be fascinated by their activities. So, now there is a choice of how we should ride the sustainability wave, the way of Permaculture, where it is inexpensive and ensures our well-being are taken care with rising cost of living.

Check out this website,

http://embunpagi2009.wordpress.com/