Fair Share

Pollution is what happens when there is too much of a particular resource in any given area. Too much of anything can be toxic. That includes things we typically see as good.

Everybody needs water, but too much water and you have a flood.

This same concept can be applied to the things we have. When we are greedy, bad things happen. Relationships crumble, health declines, communities fall apart.

How does permaculture deal with fair share?

1 – Abundance mindset

One of the biggest things to remember is that the earth gives abundantly. Bees make more honey than they need, apple trees produce more seeds than they need to replace themselves (all encapsulated in delicious fruit), and anyone who has ever grown zucchini knows they will likely have more than they bargained for at harvest.

When you work with nature and natural patterns, not only can you meet the needs of your household, but you can do it in a way that respects the earth, plants, and animals, giving you all a fair share of what is produced.

2 – Strive for balance

Sometimes, we have years where we end up with more than we need of certain things. When that is the case, we are able to look around and see where that abundance is needed. Sometimes it may mean giving it to animals as food, or giving it to a neighbor who is having a hard time, or composting it to help the garden. There are many ways that fair share is used. But when balance is achieved, everyone in the area is benefited.

Fair share is a great reminder that any stagnation of materials is toxic and works against all three ethics of permaculture. A good design makes moving the materials to where they’re needed easy.