*Best known as co-originator of the “permaculture
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permaculture>” concept with David Holmgren,
and recipient of the Right Livelihood Award in 1981, Mollison helped
develop a holistic body of environmental theory and practice which is
widely recognised as one of Australia’s finest and most original
contributions to the global sustainability challenge.*
A brief history of permaculture
Mollison grew up in Stanley, Tasmania. After leaving school at 15 he moved
through a range of occupations before joining the CSIRO in the Wildlife
Survey Section in 1954, where he developed his research experience and
understanding of ecological systems.
He was later appointed to the University of Tasmania, which is where, in
1974, he met the brilliant and radical young research student, David
Holmgren <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqwWdranB5A>
Permaculture defies
<http://www.resilience.org/stories/2013-06-11/what-permaculture-isn-t-and-is>
simple definition and understanding. The term began as a fusion of
“permanent” and “agriculture”. Even back in the 1970s, Mollison and
Holmgren could see how destructive industrial agriculture was to natural
habitats and topsoils, and how dependent it was on finite fossil fuels.[image:
permacultureone]
In the broadest terms, permaculture is a design system that seeks to work
with the laws of nature rather than against them. It aims to efficiently
meet human needs without degrading the ecosystems we all rely on to
flourish.
Put otherwise, permaculture is an attempt to design human systems and
practices in ways that mimic the cycles of nature to eliminate waste,
increase resilience and allow for the just and harmonious co-existence of
human beings with other species.
A wide range of design principles
<http://www.gaiasguardians.info/12-permaculture-design-principles-david-holmgren/>
were developed to help put these broad ideas and values into practice. This
practical application and experimentation is what really defines
permaculture. Before all else, participants in the movement get their hands
in the soil and seek to walk the talk.
There is now a vast array of excellent books <https://holmgren.com.au/shop/>
detailing the practice of permaculture, as well as outstanding websites
such as the Permaculture Research Institute <http://permaculturenews.org/>
for those wanting to learn, share, explore and connect.
Although permaculture was initially focused on sustainable methods of
organic food production, the concept soon evolved to embrace the broader
design challenges of sustainable living – not just “permanent agriculture”,
but “permanent culture”.
So, in answer to the complex question “what is permaculture?”, perhaps the
most concise response is to say with others
<http://upliftconnect.com/permaculture-is-revolution/> that “permaculture
is a revolution disguised as organic gardening”.
Bill Mollison’s legacy: a challenge to us all
Despite developing into a thriving global movement, permaculture still has
not received the full attention it deserves. As the world continues to
degrade ecosystems through the poor design of social and economic systems,
it has never been clearer that permaculture is a way of life whose time has
come.
Thank you, Bill Mollison, for the inspiration and insight – and the
challenge you have left us with to design a civilisation that regenerates
rather than degrades our one and only planet. May humanity learn the
lessons of permaculture sooner rather than later.
Only then, I suspect, will “Uncle Bill” rest in peace.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Damn the Matrix <comment-reply@wordpress.com>
Date: Wed, Sep 28, 2016 at 6:25 PM
Subject: [New post] A revolution disguised as organic gardening: in memory
of Bill Mollison
To: lfljvenaura@gmail.com
*Best known as co-originator of the “permaculture
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permaculture>” concept with David Holmgren,
and recipient of the Right Livelihood Award in 1981, Mollison helped
develop a holistic body of environmental theory and practice which is
widely recognised as one of Australia’s finest and most original
contributions to the global sustainability challenge.*
A brief history of permaculture
Mollison grew up in Stanley, Tasmania. After leaving school at 15 he moved
through a range of occupations before joining the CSIRO in the Wildlife
Survey Section in 1954, where he developed his research experience and
understanding of ecological systems.
He was later appointed to the University of Tasmania, which is where, in
1974, he met the brilliant and radical young research student, David
Holmgren <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqwWdranB5A>
Permaculture defies
<http://www.resilience.org/stories/2013-06-11/what-permaculture-isn-t-and-is>
simple definition and understanding. The term began as a fusion of
“permanent” and “agriculture”. Even back in the 1970s, Mollison and
Holmgren could see how destructive industrial agriculture was to natural
habitats and topsoils, and how dependent it was on finite fossil fuels.[image:
permacultureone]
In the broadest terms, permaculture is a design system that seeks to work
with the laws of nature rather than against them. It aims to efficiently
meet human needs without degrading the ecosystems we all rely on to
flourish.
Put otherwise, permaculture is an attempt to design human systems and
practices in ways that mimic the cycles of nature to eliminate waste,
increase resilience and allow for the just and harmonious co-existence of
human beings with other species.
A wide range of design principles
<http://www.gaiasguardians.info/12-permaculture-design-principles-david-holmgren/>
were developed to help put these broad ideas and values into practice. This
practical application and experimentation is what really defines
permaculture. Before all else, participants in the movement get their hands
in the soil and seek to walk the talk.
There is now a vast array of excellent books <https://holmgren.com.au/shop/>
detailing the practice of permaculture, as well as outstanding websites
such as the Permaculture Research Institute <http://permaculturenews.org/>
for those wanting to learn, share, explore and connect.
Although permaculture was initially focused on sustainable methods of
organic food production, the concept soon evolved to embrace the broader
design challenges of sustainable living – not just “permanent agriculture”,
but “permanent culture”.
So, in answer to the complex question “what is permaculture?”, perhaps the
most concise response is to say with others
<http://upliftconnect.com/permaculture-is-revolution/> that “permaculture
is a revolution disguised as organic gardening”.
Bill Mollison’s legacy: a challenge to us all
Despite developing into a thriving global movement, permaculture still has
not received the full attention it deserves. As the world continues to
degrade ecosystems through the poor design of social and economic systems,
it has never been clearer that permaculture is a way of life whose time has
come.
Thank you, Bill Mollison, for the inspiration and insight – and the
challenge you have left us with to design a civilisation that regenerates
rather than degrades our one and only planet. May humanity learn the
lessons of permaculture sooner rather than later.
Only then, I suspect, will “Uncle Bill” rest in peace.