What is Permaculture / About Permaculture

History

Permaculture, originally conjoined from the words permanent agriculture, has its roots - of course in agriculture. It began as a synthesis of traditional practices with innovative ideas and combined age-old knowledge with the discoveries of modern science. Its aim was to “create systems that are ecologically-sound and economically viable, which provide for their own needs, do not exploit or pollute, and are therefore sustainable in the long term.” (Bill Mollison) 

The term permaculture originates in the 1970s with Australian ecologists Bill Mollison and his graduate student David Holmgren. They gathered universal ethical principles, concepts, and methods derived from ecosystems, indigenous peoples, and other time-tested practices to create sustainable human settlements and institutions.

Later, in the 1980s, to teach the ethics, principles and foundations of permaculture, its founders came to develop and establish courses, referred to as PDC (Permaculture Design Certificate course).

Permaculture finds parallels with natural farming, disseminated by Japanese Masanobu Fukuoka. Permaculture inspired various social movements towards more socially just and ecologically healthy lives. Permaculture was even used to develop such movements such as for example Transition Towns, which was initiated by permaculturist Rob Hopkins.

Permaculture in Europe

Permaculture made its way to Europe in the 1980’s. Gaining in popularity for its message and way of life, many European enthusiasts began to gather together in their respective areas. For example in the United Kingdom around 1983 the first groups started to gather, share and discuss permaculture.

Since then, the evolution of the movement has spread around Europe and has reached many levels of society. Nowadays almost all countries in Europe have their own permaculture groups, association and/or institute.

Note to say, way before permaculture became a word and a phenomenon, multiple cultures, throughout time, were already using and applying parts of what it represents and were conscious of the balance with nature that humans need to attain a better life and the creative approach to it. In the modern times also in Europe there are many examples of individuals who had a perspective similar to permaculture, such as Sepp Holzer in Austria or Charles Herve-Gruyer in France.