PERMACULTURE & PEAK OIL: Beyond 'Sustainability'

Back


David Holmgren is co-originator (with Bill Mollison) of the permaculture concept and author of the recent book, PERMACULTURE: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability. He talks about the need to move beyond the lulling hope that 'green tech' breakthroughs will allow world-wide 'sustainable consumption' to the recognition that dwindling oil supplies inevitably mean a mandatory 'energy descent' for human civilization across the planet. He argues that permaculture principles provide the best guide to a peaceful societal 'powering down."



Channel: News & Politics
Uploaded: July 18, 2007 at 8:32 pm
Author: eon3

Length: 00:25:27
Rating: 4.88
Views: 26833

Tags: permaculture david holmgren peak oil energy descent beyond sustainability green tech

Embed Code:


Video Comments:
irkone (November 5, 2008 at 1:37 am)
Could anyone direct me to a downloadable mp3 of this segment?
sciath (October 17, 2008 at 11:55 pm)
Its scary to think about the fact that grocery stores, while seemingly so plentiful in food it gives off the illusion of an infinite resource, only hold less then a week's supply.. if the shit hits the fan it'll take less then a week before people go hungry and when someone's kids are starving they will do anything
seth553 (October 26, 2008 at 2:20 pm)
Scaith, we (in the US) are trained to believe that unlimited economic growth is the key to success and happiness. Just not true. It's natural to resist change, but the ability to adapt is what keeps us alive.

Pay special attention to Holmgren's words about species becoming more co-operative in low-energy ecosystems. No "gated communities" anymore (see Jared Diamond). Support a local organic farmer by joining a CSA, and learn a low-energy trade. That's how we prevent the grocery-store riots.
kendanielone (August 3, 2008 at 10:21 am)
What percentage of Americans do you think would live in rural areas if we converted to permaculture?
Rawmodel (July 20, 2008 at 11:52 am)
Wonderful video...it will inspire you to do the same. Check out my project at Rawmodeldotcom...

again, great video. Act now while you still can.
maranatha2000 (July 6, 2008 at 2:23 pm)
Gr8 to hear an optimistic view on the issue. All I've been hearing is doom and gloom. Fanx for postin this vid and expanding my perspective:)
sciath (October 17, 2008 at 11:52 pm)
did you watch the video? He had nothing optimistic to say about the future.. he discarded all positive outcome theories and basically said we're on a downward slope with no hope of revival
irkone (November 5, 2008 at 2:06 am)
If you think Holmgren is not optimistic, you aren't too familiar with reality as it is. Listen to some Richard Heinberg or Jay Hanson or Michael Klare or James Hansen or Sir David King. Colin Duncan, James Howard Kunstler, Peter Ward, Robert Jensen, Derrick Jensen, Jonathan Overpeck, James Speth. Just a list of some scientists, historians, activists, philosophers and social theorists who make Holmgren look like the figure of hope for humanity.
WakingMindsDOTorg (June 14, 2008 at 2:19 am)
Basically Trying to Converge The Digital Scene with the Sustainability/Green Scene.

Anyone into this sort of thing?

check it: WakingMinds . Org
newculture (May 25, 2008 at 11:17 am)
Nice interview. Good points on sustainability and permaculture.