Permaculture’s fundamental
3 ETHICS
Earth care – People care – Fair share
Much like the 3Ps of the Triple Bottom Line (People, Planet, Profit), the 3 ethics of permaculture (Earth care, People care, and Fair share) also intend to balance environmental friendliness, social responsibility, and overall prosperity. When these three meet in integrity, the system is deemed to be sustainable.
01
Earth care
“Provision for all life systems to continue and multiply.”
This ethic is based on our relationship with Nature; that our survival and wellbeing is dependent on the good health of all life systems. So, this is the most fundamental one of all three ethics for our work as permaculturists.
Planet Earth as a whole is an interconnected system, and since us humans make up a large part of it, our actions greatly influence a myriad of vital cycles. Therefore, we shall be mindful to choose cooperation over competition, and favour energy exchange over exploitation.
02
People care
“Provision for people to access those resources necessary for their existence.”
In permaculture designs, circularity is essential, therefore we need to incorporate our own personal requirements with equal importance. Balancing them with the given circumstances around us (such as landscape, community, etc.), we can access indefinite yields. When we can differentiate between what resources we truly need and what we wish to have, we can satisfy them in a sustainable manner.
As humans, we have an indisputable belonging to one another. This ethic also encourages us to re-discover the value of community dynamics, and to understand that service to others is a service to ourselves.
03
Fair share
„By governing our own needs, we can set resources aside to further the above principles.”
Permaculture encourages us to share our resources when we have surplus over what we need. To do so, we have to reassess our perception of enoughness, and exercise reasonable consumption over hoarding. It’s presumed that in a sustainable system the yield is unlimited and resources flow.
Therefore, if we live in a well-designed system, we are able to give with abundant spirit to those in need, and receive support back in areas where we might lack. And even if produce is left unharvested, we can let it remain part of the natural cycles.
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