“The sins of the fathers are visited on the children unto the seventh generation”
We need to discourage inappropriate activity to ensure that systems can continue to function well.
The icon of the whole earth is the largest scale example we have of a self regulating ‘organism’ which is subject to feedback controls, like global warming. The proverb “the sins of the fathers are visited unto the children of the seventh generation” reminds us that negative feedback is often slow to emerge.
Pigs expressing their pigness
This pig system at Taranaki Farm uses their natural behavior to ‘plough’ the land between the olive tree rows, ideal for sowing an annual crop. Spent straw becomes mulch, the manure fertilises the earth and snouts dig and aerate the soil. Left too long this system can cause erosion, create health problems for the pigs and over fertilise the soil so it’s important that the mobile hut and portable electric fence are moved to fresh ground further along the row well before this happens.
‘Pigs expressing their pigness’ photo and accompanying text contributed by Richard Telford and featured in the 2013 Permaculture Calendar.
Principle 4: Apply self-regulation & accept feedback
Night light is soft
Electric light switches are so easily turned on, and can easily be turned off. In some countries electricity is relatively cheap; we can ‘afford’ to light our houses up and turn night into day. The negative feedback that we must accept is climate change due to carbon emissions. The average daily electricity use for Australian households of 20 kW/hr could easily be reduced to less than 5 kW/hrs.
Photo contributed by Oliver Holmgren
Let’s not
Trucked bottled water is an extreme example of the stupidity of consumerism. “The Supermarket – epicentre of our civilisation – the magic pudding, no matter how fast it’s emptied, the next day it is full again. But what would happen if the little elves didn’t fill the shelves? …Let’s wander down the aisle and choose a product from the mind boggling array on offer.” – Ben Laycock (Mural artist)
Photo contributed by Michele Margolis
Eight mowers, no petrol
Christoff teaches a relaxed ‘tai chi’ style of scything that is healthy for the person mowing. Physical work requires self-awareness of technique and muscle use, motivating reflection on the value of the work. In our post peak oil world large unproductive lawnscapes will be less desired, replaced by a more thoughtful integration of land uses. Scything leaves neat windrows ideal for pitchfork collection of grain harvest, fodder or garden mulch.
Photo contributed by Anneleise Hall
