Description

Principles and Pathways draws together and integrates 25 years of thinking and teaching to show a whole new way of understanding and action behind a simple set of design principles. Relevant to every aspect of how we reorganize our lives, communities and landscapes to creatively adapt to ecological realities.

Originally published in 2002, Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability explains the systems of permaculture in 12 design principles that together with three central ethics provided a foundation for a diversity of ecological solutions that characterize permaculture design, teaching, development and activism.

Fifteen years on the book was revised and redesigned, translated into nine languages and has proven to be the seminal text for extending permaculture beyond its agrarian roots.

For the general reader this book provides refreshing perspectives on a range of environmental issues and shows how permaculture is much more than a system of gardening. For anyone seriously interested in understanding the foundations for sustainable design and culture, this book is essential reading.

Although a book of ideas, the big picture is repeatedly grounded by reference to Holmgren’s own patch, Melliodora, and other practical examples.

“If you want a clear, deep and passionate guide to how we, as a race, might adapt to the rapidly approaching reality of energy descent in such a way that we not only survive but thrive, you must read this”. – Rob Hopkins, the Transition founder

“If the Permaculture Principles that David Holmgren discusses in this extremely important book were applied to all that we do, we would be well on the road to sustainability, and beyond”. – Professor Stuart B. Hill

David Holmgren is best known as the co-originator with Bill Mollison of the permaculture concept following the publication of Permaculture One in 1978. Within the growing and international permaculture movement, David is respected for his commitment to presenting permaculture ideas through practical projects and teaching by personal example that a sustainable lifestyle is a realistic, attractive and powerful alternative to dependent consumerism.

As well as constant involvement in the practical side of permaculture, David is passionate about the philosophical and conceptual foundations for sustainability, which he explored in Future Scenarios (2009), and Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability (2003/2017) and his most recent book RetroSuburbia (2018).

With an increasingly high profile as a public speaker, David Holmgren provides leadership with his refreshing and unorthodox approach to the environmental issues of our time. David lives with his partner Su Dennett at “Melliodora“, a one-hectare permaculture demonstration site at Hepburn Springs, Central Victoria, Australia. Visit his web site at holmgren.com.au.