Permaculture Farming

Archive for the ‘Permaculture’ Category

New Series intro (Prep-Tech) episode 1

Fry Creek Permaculture Design Course

Question: Permaculture: Can we buy ourselves green?

Permaculture: Are people missing the point about the green message? Instead of cutting down our own consumption people seem more concerned about buying themselves green. Buy MORE recycled products. Buy new dual flush toilet cisterns replacing perfectly good ones, when the could put a brick in the cistern? Buying solar panels and wind turbines instead of insulating lofts, filling gaps and putting on a jumper etc. Can we ‘buy’ ourselves green?

Answer: You’re exactly right. The key is to drop the myths and scare tactics of the special interests and look at the facts. You mentioned some specifics–here’s a counterpoint: the “macro” or broader view:

Shifting to a “green” way of doing things means economic development–in two ways. First, “conservation” means–or should mean–not “doing without” but increasing efficiency. That LOWERS costs. One small example illustrates the point: I switched to energy-efficient light bulbs. I’m not “doing without” anything–but my electric bill has dropped $8-10/month.

That’s money I spend on other things–which, multiplied by millions of people, means more demand for goods and services–hence more business, new jobs, etc. Economists call this the “multiplier effect.”

The other half of this is alternative enrgy production. That implies developing new technologies–which ALWAYS means new industries, new (and good) jobs–and economic growth.

In other words, yes–we CAN buy our way to a “green” world–in fact, that’s the best and easiest way to get the job done. Everyone benefits–especially the average person who will get more opportunities, better products, and ultimately cheaper energy.

Well, almost everyone. I suppose this is a disaster if you’re an oil company fat cat.

Maybe I’ll send them a sympathy card. lol

New Zealand Organic Permaculture Garden update