Week 1 - Permaculture Ethics, Investments & Directives

This page explores the ethics of Permaculture, the types of investments we make, and some of the directives which influence the Permaculture design system.

Permaculture Ethics

Permaculture ethics are the core of the design system. You can use the tools and processes of Permaculture, but if you're not using the ethics, then it's not Permaculture. In this video, we explain the three ethics: Earth Care, People Care, and Reinvestment of Surplus back into the first two ethics (Fair Share).

Download Intro to Permaculture: Permaculture Ethics Video Transcript


There have been different versions of the third ethic put out throughout the years, and most people like "Fair Share", perhaps because it has a nice ring to it. But "Reinvestment of surplus back into Earth Care and People Care" is a bit more explicit. A respected Permaculture teacher and author, Starhawk Links to an external site., says "Future Care Links to an external site." as the third ethic. There are also those who add a fourth ethic, called the "Transition Ethic Links to an external site.". The transition ethic recognizes that we have a long way to go, and it may be necessary to use unsustainable practices or technologies along the way, like fossil fuel driven Earth moving equipment for example. Transitioning to a sustainable future has many steps along the way.

Additional Resources:

Permaculture Ethics Links to an external site.

Overview of the Permaculture Ethics Links to an external site.

Why Permaculture is Different Links to an external site.

Permaculture Association: Ethics Links to an external site.

A Discussion on People Care Links to an external site.

Exploring Social Permaculture Links to an external site.

Importance of Social Permaculture by Starhawk Links to an external site.

Ethics and a Call to Fair Share Links to an external site.

What is Permaculture- Ethics by Maddy Harland Links to an external site.

Liberation Ecology Links to an external site.

 

Podcasts:

Permaculture Voices: Social Permaculture. Creating a Diversity of Functional Connections Between People and Their Skills Links to an external site.

Permaculture Investments

This video explores three different types of investments: degenerative, generative, and regenerative. We are not just talking about financial investments. We're referring to investing time, energy, and resources.

Download Intro to Permaculture Regenerative Investments Video Transcript

 

In Permaculture we are striving to maximize regenerative investments; those that improve over time. There are many forms of capital we speak of when talking about investments. Ethan Roland and Gregory Landua of Terra Genesis International Links to an external site. have articulated the Eight Forms of Capital Links to an external site., as another perspective on investments and yields, and financial capital is only one of them!

Permaculture Directives

The Permaculture directives are some of the major themes that we are working with in a Permaculture design. Design with Nature, Design for Culture, Pattern Literacy, and Indigenous Wisdom are all topics we explore in this short video.

Download Intro to Permaculture: Permaculture Directives Video Transcript

 

Permaculture design is based on working with nature, and understanding how nature functions. This is the study of ecology, and is a crucial piece to informing your Permaculture work. Learning how indigenous people lived in a place falls under the study of anthropology and ethnobotany. The ways native people historically lived in an area before and during the industrial age provide clues about what a sustainable relationship with the land looks like. Anywhere that people have a sustainable relationship with the Earth in their use of resources is an example to learn from.

Additional Resources:

Regenerative Design Links to an external site.

Toby Hemenway on Natural Patterns Links to an external site.

Permaculture: Your Way to Sustainable Living by Geoff Lawton Links to an external site.