permacultura

Permacultura is a design system for creating sustainable human settlements and agricultural systems. The term, a portmanteau of "permanent agriculture" and "permanent culture," was coined by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren in the 1970s. Permacultura seeks to develop human environments that are ecologically sound, economically viable, and socially just. It is based on a set of ethics and principles that guide the design process.

The core ethics of permaculture are care for the Earth, care for people, and fair share. These ethics translate into practical design principles such as observing and interacting, catching and storing energy, obtaining a yield, applying self-regulation and accepting feedback, using and valuing renewable resources and services, producing no waste, designing from patterns to details, integrating rather than segregating, using small and slow solutions, using and valuing diversity, and using edges and valuing the marginal.

Permaculture design can be applied to a wide range of scales, from small urban gardens to large rural landscapes. It involves observing natural ecosystems and mimicking their patterns and relationships to create resilient and productive systems. Elements commonly found in permaculture designs include food forests, water harvesting systems, integrated animal systems, and energy-efficient buildings. The goal is to create systems that require minimal external inputs and generate abundant resources, fostering a harmonious relationship between humans and nature. Permaculture is not simply about gardening; it is a holistic approach to living sustainably.