Earth Care
Have you seen the weather lately? Or notice the lack of birds? Have you noticed anything…just weird?
You may be noticing what one family calls “Global Weirding.” I like that. Call it whatever you want: global warming, global cooling, climate change, whatever. The fact is, things are weird.
Now, I’m not here to say this is to blame or that is to blame. I find the blame game to be a waste of time. I would much rather deal with the situation in whatever way I am able to. For me, that includes taking care of the things I am blessed with, and that means earth care is a high priority.
It is also the first ethical principle of permaculture.
I grew up in the city. My friends grew up in the city. I went to college in a city. My college friends dreamed of big cities. I dreamed of raising a family in a big city! But somewhere along the way, I realized that this pull away from nature wasn’t helping my physical or mental health. I realized that the answer wasn’t about getting away from nature (except when you go hiking or camping and feel at peace, then return to the city and complain about the leaves on the lawn). I eventually realized that we ARE nature.
The fact is, the more we take care of the earth, the more we take care of ourselves.
Designed Habitats
When I get a fresh batch of chicks, I don’t get them first and figure out what to do with them later.
The first thing I do is to make a home for chickens.
That’s right! The chickens aren’t even born yet, let alone anywhere close to old enough to need a coop and run, but I’m making sure it’s the first thing that gets done. This is just good animal husbandry. Most people who raise chickens do this. They know that you need a coop and run ready BEFORE the chicks arrive.
The second thing I do is to make a brooding area for the chicks.
Chicks have different needs than chickens. Their feed is different, their waterer is smaller (and may have a few things added to it), and they need heat. All of this needs to be set up before the chicks come.
The third thing I do is to prepare the brooding area before I pick up the chicks.
Right before I get in the car, I make sure their water and feed are in their containers and ready for them, and I turn on the heat lamp. I want that brooder absolutely ready before the chicks come home.
Like I said, this is just good animal husbandry. And guess what? God did the same thing for us.
Look at Genesis. God created the earth first, then the Garden of Eden. He made sure all things were good BEFORE he created humans. I do believe this earth was made for us. He didn’t just throw some pretty things together and then hope we would be compatible. This earth was made specifically for us to learn and grow in. So why do we fight it so much?
I really could go on and on about so many facets of the concept of earth care and why it’s important. It really comes down to this: this is our home. Let’s keep it nice. No more pointing fingers about who is responsible for what. If we want people to take responsibility for their actions, let us first set the example. As Ghandi said, let’s be the change we want to see in the world.
How does permaculture care for the earth
1 – Natural solutions, not chemicals
While it’s true that all chemicals come from nature, certain compounds and/or strengths were never intended to be used the way modern practices recommend. The world works in an amazing balance. Chemicals throw off that balance, causing a chain reaction of side effects that you have to keep up with. The modern approach to keeping up with these side effects? More chemicals. It’s all needless, hazardous, and expensive! Nature has solutions that prove chemicals to be not only unneeded, but ridiculous. You just have to know what to do and when.
2 – Relationships
You may have noticed certain patterns in nature. Some trees only grow at a certain altitude, some plants only grow near water, some weeds only grow where nothing else seems to. These patterns are key to understanding the relationships of all living things. When we place elements in the correct relationship with each other, needs begin to be met that keeps the elements healthy and happy. One easy example is when we place the kitchen garden near the back door of a home instead of 100 feet away. By creating that relationship between it and the house, the owner of both is much more likely to take care of it, because they see it right away. Taking care of the garden helps the owner take pride in it and gives them a sense of satisfaction. This relationship cares for the earth by creating a win-win situation.
3 – Thinking locally
The permaculture farm, garden, or backyard is all about serving those close to it. It is not about feeding anyone far enough away that a semi-truck is needed. The world isn’t fed by us sending our food to the other side of the planet. It’s fed by us teaching others how to grow their own food, then allowing them to take care of their own area. When you think locally, your decisions for scale and variety change drastically. You can now grow a greater variety of food and you can mix your crops. Monocrops (those large fields of potatoes or wheat) are in greater danger to pests and weeds than a mixed crop situation, meaning they are much more likely to use chemicals to deal with the situation. Bring things down to a personal level and most of the large farm equipment is no longer needed, chemicals are no longer needed, relationships between people and the community grow, and everyone gets more nutrient-rich food. This is sustainable. This is wisdom. This is growth.
