Regenerative capitalism and the holistic economy (report)

REGENERATIVE CAPITALISM: How Universal Principles And Patterns Will Shape Our NewEconomy

A holistic approach to the economy is necessary to avoid social, environmental and economic collapse, according to a new report by the Capital Institute.

UK Government taskforce suggests civilisation may collapse (online)

Scientific model supported by UK Government Taskforce flags risk ofcivilisation’s collapse by 2040

New scientific models supported by the British government’s Foreign Office show that if we don’t change course, in less than three decades industrial civilisation will essentially collapse due to catastrophic food shortages, triggered by a combination of climate change, water scarcity, energy crisis, and political instability. Before you panic, the good news is that the model isn't predictive. The model does not account for the reality that people will react to escalating crises by changing behavior and policies. But even so, it’s a sobering wake-up call.

 

N and C impacts of permaculture chickens (abstract only)

Soil nitrogen and carbon impacts of raising chickens on pasture 

Pasture-raised chicken is an alternative to industrial production. In this agricultural model, manure is deposited directly onto grassland soils. The fate of manure nitrogen from pasture-raised chicken production remains poorly understood. We conducted a controlled, replicated experiment on a permaculture farm in which small chicken coops were moved daily in a pasture. Manure deposition was relatively constant over the four weeks pasture-lifetime of the chickens. Soil gaseous reactive nitrogen losses were less in this pasture system compared to cultivated field amended with raw chicken manure. These results suggest that pasture manure management may have a smaller impact on gaseous reactive nitrogen pollution.

Eco-feminsit pedagogy and permaculture (#journal)

‘More Crucial’ Matters: Reclaiming ‘Sustainability’ and Transcending the Rhetoric of ‘Choice’ through Ecofeminist Pedagogy

This paper advances a theory for ecofeminist sustainability pedagogy. The need to adapt to a world of diminishing resources is central to ecofeminism, sustainability, and permaculture, and for this reason, the integration of principles drawn from these theoretical frameworks can serve as a powerful means of transforming what is taught in the classroom and beyond. Permaculture offers a conceptual map for moving forward in a holistic and integrative way by cultivating long-term systems thinking and situating human behaviors and practices within a local-global framework with social justice at its core. An ecofeminist sustainability pedagogy advocates empowered citizenship and inspires students to assume responsibility for their own choices, while fostering new approaches to culture change.

The future of permaculture (online)

Permaculture: History and Futures

This short essay argues that the future of permaculture lies in its great power to transform our own personal ways of being and doing. It can change our world view and with it our behaviour, bringing about an integral paradigm shift.

Permaculture principles in rural social work (journal)

Rural community transition and resilience: what now for social work?

With increasing impacts of climate change and losses of life, livelihood and habitat, rural communities have become beset with frequent, prolonged and persistent recovery and coping obligations. Designing for and increasingly demonstrating social work practices that prioritize the multi-modal skills of sustainable living may well be the most effective means to realize and sustain environmental justice advancements. Practitioners, educators, researchers and students engaged in mobilizing social work's professional commitments to environmental justice causes would be well-served by acquiring the knowledge and skills needed to realize sustainable livelihoods. Permaculture design principles and methods are cited as means for social work professionals to begin with their own personal and professional practices.

Mushrooms can save the world! (online)

Ted Talk: 6 Ways mushrooms can save the world 

In this mind-blowing TED Talk, mycologist Paul Stamets lists 6 ways the mycelium fungus can help save the universe: cleaning polluted soil, making insecticides, treating smallpox and even flu viruses, making fuel for our cars.