Evidence / Why do we need

Permaculture?

This Much we
Know...
 What Matters...
Global Warming, Climate Change & Peak Oil are just symptoms of
the problem. The real issues we face, & where we can be most
effective, are found in these three main causes .

Main causes
Soil Erosion De-forestation Pollution
 Why is there Soil Erosion?
Approx 300,000 known species of plant in
the world
 Why is there Soil Erosion?
Approx 300,000 known species of plant in
the world
Only 150 are grown regularly & to
any extent for the needs of people
 Why is there Soil Erosion?
Approx 300,000 known species of plant in
the world
Only 150 are grown regularly & to
any extent for the needs of people

Today - 20 species
provide 90% of world food
needs
 Why is there Soil Erosion?
Over half human calorific intake comes from - 3
grasses , 1 bean, and 1 root vegetable
 Why is there Soil Erosion?
Over half human calorific intake comes from - 3
grasses , 1 bean, and 1 root vegetable
Wheat
Corn
Rice
Soya
Potato
Only crops traded on the stock market
 Why is there Soil Erosion?
Over half human calorific intake comes from - 3
grasses , 1 bean, and 1 root vegetable
Wheat
Corn
Rice
Soya
Potato
Only crops traded on the stock market
In 1950 there were 12 crops on this list
 Why is there Soil Erosion?
Over half human calorific intake comes from - 3
grasses , 1 bean, and 1 root vegetable
Wheat
Corn
Rice
Soya
Potato
Only crops traded on the stock market
In 1950 there were 12 crops on this list
Use of agro chemicals have more than
doubled in the last 5 years
 Why is there Soil Erosion?
Over half human calorific intake comes from - 3
grasses , 1 bean, and 1 root vegetable
Wheat Only 8% of world's soils
Corn considered suitable for these
types of monoculture
Rice
Soya
Potato
Only crops traded on the stock market
In 1950 there were 12 crops on this list
Use of agro chemicals have more than
doubled in the last 5 years
 Why is there Soil Erosion?
Over half human calorific intake comes from - 3
grasses , 1 bean, and 1 root vegetable
Wheat Only 8% of world's soils
Corn considered suitable for these
types of monoculture
Rice
On Average 200 tonnes soil loss
Soya per acre per year but can max
out at 400 tonnes
Potato
Only crops traded on the stock market
In 1950 there were 12 crops on this list
Use of agro chemicals have more than
doubled in the last 5 years
If 2% of the equivalent area used by
industrial agriculture was turned over to
Permaculture we could produce the same
quantity of nutrition
If 2% of the equivalent area used by
industrial agriculture was turned over to
Permaculture we could produce the same
quantity of nutrition
This is a miniscule percentage of the land
where Permaculture is applicable. It
doesnt matter whether it is urban,
mountainous, wet low lands, arid desert,
coastal or salted landscapes, Permaculture
design can be applied to create abundant
habitats for human dwellings.