Maddy Harland

When I first read about Jem Bendell’s Deep Adaptation work I didn’t want to face the possibility that humanity would not draw back from the brink of climate catastrophe. I wanted to believe we have the solutions on hand and that growing mass consciousness would tip world leaders into acting wisely. Now we are straying towards a catastrophic tempera-ture rise in a matter of a decades. Solar panels, electric cars and agroforestry are evidently not going to take us beyond net zero in time.

Permaculture is a design system based on ethics and a set of principles modelled on Nature. When we consider the millions of years of evolution and adaptation to conditions by species, we can glimpse how Nature has the best R & D lab in existence. A deep observation and an understanding of natural systems can teach us many things.

Every issue of PM is an opportunity to express our gratitude to all our subscribers, readers, contributors, partners, stores and distributors for your continued support in what are challenging times. We have survived by a process of swift adaptation (especially when all of our stores closed in many parts of the world overnight in March 2020), a willingness to adopt new ideas and ways of working, and because of the loyalty of all of you. We thank you.