Is Europe part of our permaculture? (From Gazette & Herald)

Is Europe part of our permaculture?

THERE'S an awful admission I'd like to make.

When it was announced that there was, after all, to be a referendum on the acceptance of the European Constitution, my first reaction was that someone must have come up with a wording which was a foolproof way of getting a 'yes' result.

Perhaps Mandy is back with a formula, something on the lines of "would you find signing the European Constitution preferable to legislation making compulsory the drowning of kittens?"

This is an unworthy thought, and characterises a deep cynicism which I am shocked to find so near the surface.

Now, on to more productive things.

'Permaculture' is a word that usually brings a puzzled look, even to the faces of committed ecological supporters.

It is an idea that had its origin in Australia, but is now a concept that is put to use worldwide. The Permaculture magazine defines it thus: "Permaculture (permanent agriculture or permanent culture) is the conscious design of an ecologically-sound future, co-operating with nature and caring for the earth and its people.

"The aim of permaculture is to create productive systems that will sustain generations to come as well as ourselves today... The principles and practice of permaculture can be used by anyone, anywhere...

"It encourages the individual to be resourceful, self-reliant and to play a conscious part in the solution to the many problems facing us, both locally and globally."

Does this sound a bit too utopian for you? In practice, many local people are making adjustments towards this style of living, as has been shown in this paper's enlightened EcoCorner.

Permaculture design is now well established. and courses are run in various parts of the country which show how your particular bit of the world can be made to function efficiently, but leave only a light ecological footprint.

It is true that most of the permaculture sites seem to be in the south, where the weather is kinder, but not exclusively.

Next month, we are welcoming Patrick Whitefield, the country's leading permaculture designer, to come to our high, windy piece of land and draw up a plan of action for the coming years.

A permaculture plan will divide the land into (usually concentric) zones - zone one being the part nearest the house where often-used plants will be grown.

In the outer zones, production can be maximised by growing at three levels on the same bit of land: fruit, such as apples and plums, at the top, bush fruit beneath and perennial vegetables at ground level. The higher growth protects the plants below, and the ground cover keeps the weeds away. One of the welcome benefits is that, once the system is established, there is relatively little maintenance work to be done.

The aspect that clinches the matter for me is that there is also deep consideration given to zone 0. This is indoors and inside the people who live there - their attitude to life, concern for others and the task of 'living lightly on the planet'.

Off to Manchester this weekend to attend a day of lectures presented by the Schumacher Institute entitled 'As if People Matter'. I think, without getting too cynical again, that I know who won't be there.

Permaculture Magazine Solutions for Sustainable Living: (0845) 4584150. Website: www.permaculture.co.uk. E-mail: enquiries@ permaculture.co.uk.

Updated: 11:40 Wednesday, April 28, 2004