We hear a lot about the need to minimize our ecological footprints and do less harm.

But what if our ‘footprints’ could be of  benefit?

What if we could meet human needs while increasing the health and well-being of our planet?

This is the premise behind permaculture, a design process based on the replication of patterns and relationships found in nature.

Permaculture is a conceptual road map for the redesign of human systems. It calls for a culture that acts in harmony with the forces of nature, suggesting that we “design an agriculture that increases the quality of life for all beings, and let’s achieve the same through our economic and political systems.”

A new documentary film entitled ‘Inhabit: A Permaculture Perspective’ introduces these concepts by exploring a range of real-life examples. The film explores an array of solutions to current issues of food, water, medicine, governance and economy.

Filmmakers Emmett Brennan and Costa Boutsikaris traveled the country to document the possibilities of permaculture (sustainable) systems in action. Examples include farms that resemble forest ecosystems to the extent that they are self sustaining, self propagating and self evolving.

In another instance It looks at an inner-city agriculture that collects and stores rainwater, prevents flooding, grows food, provides for the community, and purifies the air, and it depicts an alternative currency that relies on the exchange of time.

Permaculture asks that we deepen our relationship to the Earth and it provides us with the tools for better integration. It shows us that we can be planetary healing forces.

You can help spread this message by supporting the films Kickstarter campaign here. Money raised will help the film reach as many hearts as possible.

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Editor: Renée Picard

Photo: hardworking hippy at Flickr