Permaculture

Permaculture Ethics
Care of Earth This concept ranges from the very obvious – take care of the living soil – to galactic concepts of Gaia’s place (and thus our own) in the Universe. We take stewardship of our own homes, but do not assume that humans have the wisdom or the power to take stewardship of the entire planet. Share the Surplus We live in such a way, limiting our consumption and our population, that there is a surplus to share.		Care of Humans If we are taking care of humans properly, all the other species will be allowed to live the lives which their wisdom dictates. Taking care of humans means recognizing them to be part of, not masters of, the web of Life on this planet. Respect Intrinsic Value We remember that all living beings have intrinsic value, not just the extrinsic value that humans give them.
PERMACULTURE DESIGN PRINCIPLES
Observe and Interact "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." Catch and Store Energy Energy flows; materials cycle. “Make hay while the sun shines.” Obtain a Yield “You can’t work on an empty stomach.” Each Element Performs Multiple Functions Stacking functions. Design for Redundancy Provide backup for critical needs. Apply Self-Regulation and Accept Feedback “The sins of the fathers are visited on the children unto the seventh generation.” Use and Value Renewable Resources and Services “Let nature take its course.” Relative Location Needs & Yields. Use Energy Efficient Planning Sectors, zones and elevation. Produce No Waste “A stitch in time saves nine.” “Waste not, want not.” “Work where it counts.” Stack & Pack Use vertical space, and plant densely.		Design from Patterns to Details "Can't see the forest for the trees" Integrate Rather than Segregate “Many hands make light work.” Use Small Scale Solutions & Technologies “The bigger they are, the harder they fall.” “Slow and steady wins the race.” Use and Value Diversity “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” Use Edges and Value the Marginal “Don’t think you are on the right track just because it’s a well-beaten path.” Observe & Replicate Natural Patterns “Mother knows best.” Consider Succession “Stand on the shoulders of those who have come before you.” Creatively Use and Respond to Change “Vision is not seeing things as they are, but as they will be.” “Attitude matters.”