We have all read news reports about depletion of the ozone layer, global warming, and the extinction of many plant and animal species. These stories make me feel powerless to change events that will eventually affect each and every one of us and future generations. I know that we have an over-dependence upon petroleum products and that we must reduce carbon being released into the atmosphere, but how do we do this without sacrificing our most cherished luxuries? Organic gardening, recycling/reusing, and building energy efficient homes all seem like ways to begin conserving, but are they enough?

I found a course in Permaculture, which is a design system for creating sustainable human environments. The word is a contraction of permanent and agriculture: the creation of permanent culture, since cultures cannot last without a land-use ethic and a sustainable agriculture base.

Permaculture taught me how to create an environment where I would learn about the relationship of plants, animals, and buildings, as well as an ethic to live by. It is a system of using natural resources that are abundant without destroying life on our planet. Harmony with nature is possible, but it means giving up the notion of superiority over the natural world and realizing that everything we do to the natural world we are also doing to ourselves.

Some of the basic principles in any permaculture design regardless of climate and scale are the following:

• Relative location: every element (such as house, pond, road, etc.) is placed in relationship to another so they assist each other.
• Each element performs many functions.
• Each important function is supported by many elements.
• Efficient energy planning for house and settlement.
• Emphasis on biological resources over fossil fuel resources.
• Energy recycling on site.
• Using and accelerating natural plant succession to establish a favorable soil and site.
• Creating polyculture, or diversity of beneficial species for a productive, interactive system.
• Use of edge and natural patterns for best effect.

The Permaculture Ethics are care of the earth, care of people, and dispersal of time, money, and materials toward care of the earth and people.

Caring is extended to all living and non-living things around us: the soil, plant and animal species, the atmosphere, forests, micro-habitats, and water. It means that we must become active participants in the rehabilitation and conservation of all our resources. It means finding “right livelihood.”

Care of people is not separate from care of the earth. This means that we need to have our basic food, shelter, education, a satisfying employment, and community provided. How we care for ourselves has an enormous impact on all other life. By providing for our needs and not overindulging, we are preventing the broad-scale destruction of life on the planet. Once we have our basic needs provided, surplus can be used to assist others.

Implementation of permaculture ethics begins by all of us looking at our immediate environments. Are we creating a balanced ecosystem that allows us to care for all the living and non-living things in our environments?

The Permaculture Guild of Houston will host a series of classes this spring:

Permaculture 2: The Ecological Foundations of Design: This class explains the permaculture perspective on world and local ecosystems, and ties this information to the sustainability of gardens and civilizations. Dates: Wednesdays, Feb. 13 & 27, Mar. 13 & 20, Apr.10, field trip Apr. 6. Fee: $116 for 6 sessions, includes materials and food.

Permaculture 3: Perma-Culture & The Sustainable Society: This class explains the permaculture perspective on how we can have a more sustainable society while creating a vastly more satisfying life for all. Dates: Wednesdays April 10th, 24th, May 8, and field trip May 4. Fees: $76, includes materials and food.

Wednesday classes are taught at 610 West Loop & San Felipe from 7-9:30 pm; Saturday field trips are all day at Animal Farm Permaculture Center 90 miles west of Houston. Pre-registration required. Call Urban Harvest at 713-880-5540 for more information.