What is Permaculture?
Permaculture is a holistic design approach to any living system that works with nature to create sustainable and resilient cycles. It involves designing anything from agricultural systems to town planning that mimic the patterns and relationships found in the natural world. The ultimate goal is to create ecosystems that are self-sustaining, efficient, and in harmony with the environment.
Permaculture is a holistic design philosophy that encourages sustainable living by creating systems that work in harmony with the environment, rather than against it. Rooted in natural ecosystems, permaculture aims to meet human needs while regenerating the land and resources for future generations.
“Permaculture gives us a toolkit for moving from a culture of fear and scarcity to one of love and abundance”
~ Toby Hemenway
Permaculture originated in the 1970s through the pioneering work of Bill Mollison and David Holmgren in Australia. Mollison’s book Permaculture: A Designers’ Manual laid the groundwork for the movement, while Holmgren expanded and refined the principles into the practical framework used today. Over time, permaculture has evolved globally, with its core ethics and principles forming the foundation for creating resilient, self-sustaining systems that support both environmental health and human well-being.
The Heart of Permaculture: Ethics and Principles
Permaculture is rooted in a set of guiding ethics and principles that form the foundation for designing resilient and sustainable systems. It’s not just about growing food—it’s a framework for designing all aspects of human habitation and interaction with the environment in a way that supports long-term ecological health, fairness, and community resilience.
At the core of permaculture, there are three fundamental ethics:
Care for the Earth – Ensuring that the natural world and all of its ecosystems are nurtured and protected.
Care for People – Creating systems that serve humanity’s needs and support human well-being.
Fair Share – Ensuring equitable distribution of resources, leaving enough for future generations and the planet.
These ethics guide the development of permaculture principles, which provide practical strategies for creating systems that align with nature’s patterns.
There are 12 Permaculture Principles, first articulated by David Holmgren, which build on Bill Mollison’s initial work. These principles are used as design tools for creating regenerative and resilient systems. Some of the core principles include:
Observe and Interact – Before designing, take the time to observe the natural environment and understand its patterns.
Catch and Store Energy – Maximise energy storage when it’s abundant, so it can be used when needed.
Creatively Use and Respond to Change - Create positive outcomes from inevitable change by observing carefully and intervening at the right time
To explore more of the core principles of permaculture, you can read Essence of Permaculture or get the book Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability by David Holmgren.