keith’s new self

I’ve recently become a big fan of David Holmgren. I just finished reading his new book Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability. In it he describes general principles that guide his work teaching and practicing permaculture. Permaculture is a strategy for living in a world of “energy descent”, i.e. in a world where fossil fuel is in decline. His philosophy is positive and down-to-earth - rather than bemoaning the state of the planet or looking for someone to blame, he focuses on practical solutions while provoking you to rethink your relationship with nature. He has many refreshing insights into this relationship, especially how the extraction and use of the Earth’s most concentrated energy store has shaped the human condition over time. He notes, and I agree, that permaculture is today a fringe notion, but within 100 years will be mainstream in post-industrial society, out of necessity, since energy descent is, notwithstanding some unlikely scientific deus ex machina, an inevitable future.

Here’s a great interview with David (get the MP3 audio version):

http://www.energybulletin.net/524.html

Here’s the info on his upcoming talk in Vancouver:

VANCOUVER PERMACULTURE NETWORK Presents:

“Permaculture Strategies in a World of Declining Fossil Fuel”
With David Holmgren

Hosted by the UBC Faculty of Land and Food Systems and UBC Farm

Saturday, September 10, 2005
Afternoon Lecture 3- 6 pm
University of British Columbia, MacMillan Building
2357 Main Mall, Room 166

tags: davidholmgren, ecology, energydescent, permaculture, vancouver

posted: 10:18 am