Saturday July 24, 2010
Small steps go a long way
By JOLEEN LUNJEW
What is permaculture?
According to Essence of Permaculture by David Holmgren (www.holmgren.com.au), the word was coined by Australian founders Bill Mollison and Holmgren in the mid-1970s to describe an evolving, integrated system of perennial or self-perpetuating plant and animal species useful to man.
“(It is about) consciously designed landscapes which mimic the patterns and relationships found in nature, while yielding an abundance of food, fibre and energy for provision of local needs.
“People, their buildings and the ways in which they organise themselves are central to permaculture. Thus the permaculture vision of permanent or sustainable agriculture has evolved to one of permanent or sustainable culture,” Holmgren explains.
The permaculture movement has taken off in many places around the world but it is still relatively new here. In his quest to raise awareness on the subject and, ultimately, to create a fully-sustainable Islamic community, Shaykh Hassan Henning Pedersen, 47 (above), is conducting an introductory sustainability course in permaculture, natural medicine and self-defence.
His workshop, from July 25-30 at Yayasan Rasma Centre, Jenderami Dengkil, is a five-day, live-in course that includes hostel accommodation, meals and a certificate of completion.
Pedersen will teach — through lectures, discussions and hands-on exercises — on how to provide for physical needs such as food, water, shelter and energy in an environment-friendly and sustainable manner.
Among the topics covered are how to create sustainability in your own community, grow your own food organically, reduce dependency on fossil fuels, grow your own medicine and treat common ailments, build your house from safe, cheap and natural materials, and defend yourself in an increasingly violent world.
“Permaculture is a combination of two words – permanent and culture. It is the science of using natural functions to create an environment that is sustainable in all its functions and in every way. You have to work with nature, not against it,” explains Pedersen.
The Dane, who lives in Indonesia, is a naturopathic doctor, permaculture designer and master of several martial arts systems with more than 25 years of experience in sustainable living. He has been involved with NGOs and activists since he was a teenager but only got into perma-culture a decade ago.
“I was already practising many of the principles in perma-culture but not as an entire system. I prefer to call it sustainability as people are still unfamiliar with the term permaculture,” he says.
Among Pedersen’s main efforts in walking the talk is transforming his home in East Java into an eco-friendly showhouse where water catchments are used to collect rainwater, which in turn is used to breed fish and water the plants. He grows plants wherever possible and uses kitchen and fish waste as fertiliser.
Pedersen does not own a car and eats 80% of his food raw.
“I have travelled to 26 different countries in 20 years and have never needed a car. It’s too destructive to the environment. I’d rather take public transportation. Regarding food, good enzymes are killed at 40°C, so why consume food that has less nutrients? My whole family adopts a similar eating habit, and my eldest son, who is 9½ years old, has never been sick in his life.”
Pedersen recommends watching No Impact Man, directed by Laura Gabbert and Justin Schein, to people who are interested in permaculture. The 2009 documentary features a Manhattan-based family who abandoned their high-consumption, 5th Avenue lifestyle for a year in which they produced little environmental impact.
“This documentary shows excellent examples of how you can implement sustainability in your everyday live, regardless of whether you’re in the city or rural area,” says Pedersen.
Pedersen’s way of life has inspired many to start practising sustainable living. One of his students, Atika Irfan, 36, says she hopes to learn how to become more sustainable after completing his workshop.
The Pakistani, who has been living in Malaysia with her Malaysian husband for 14 years, is now thinking about building a rainwater catchment system, rearing her own fish and prawns, and starting her own salad garden. She currently buys only local products from the local markets to minimise consumption of imported food.
“Over the years, I have realised that companies are all about making profit. Our meat is contaminated with hormones, and chemical pesticides have been making us ill. My mum’s medication costs RM500 each month for 30 pills. Health problems run in my family. I can’t afford the cures so I don’t wish to be sick,” says Atika.
She cites the Asian Food Channel (AFC) programme, River Cottage, where the host cooks up delicious meals using organic ingredients and livestock from his farm, as her main source of inspiration.
Another student, Awaludin Mohal, 68, is moving towards making his 0.8ha land in Janda Baik fully sustainable in preparation for the peak oil phenomenon. Analysts believe that when the oil runs out, the economy will collapse and food will become scarce — Awaludin is giving himself a headstart.
“Food will be a problem when the economy collapses. History shows that people will even kill for food, just like during the 1930s Great Depression. I have to think about my family. It’s better to be prepared than sorry,” he says.
Awaludin grows all sorts of vege-tables on his farm and rears his own chickens, geese and fish.
“I’m looking to grow worms and maggots for my chickens. Worms are also good for the soil. I feed my carp banana leaves and my tilapia eat tapioca leaves,” adds Awaludin, who plans to build an eco-friendly house in the near future.
o Although the aim of the workshop is to set up an Islamic Eco-Village, non-Muslims are welcome to join the course. Dress appropriately. Contact Latifah at lattame@gmail.com or 017-663 1562 to register.
Related Story:
One with the land
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What is permaculture?
According to Essence of Permaculture by David Holmgren (www.holmgren.com.au), the word was coined by Australian founders Bill Mollison and Holmgren in the mid-1970s to describe an evolving, integrated system of perennial or self-perpetuating plant and animal species useful to man.
“(It is about) consciously designed landscapes which mimic the patterns and relationships found in nature, while yielding an abundance of food, fibre and energy for provision of local needs.
“People, their buildings and the ways in which they organise themselves are central to permaculture. Thus the permaculture vision of permanent or sustainable agriculture has evolved to one of permanent or sustainable culture,” Holmgren explains.
The permaculture movement has taken off in many places around the world but it is still relatively new here. In his quest to raise awareness on the subject and, ultimately, to create a fully-sustainable Islamic community, Shaykh Hassan Henning Pedersen, 47 (above), is conducting an introductory sustainability course in permaculture, natural medicine and self-defence.
His workshop, from July 25-30 at Yayasan Rasma Centre, Jenderami Dengkil, is a five-day, live-in course that includes hostel accommodation, meals and a certificate of completion.
Pedersen will teach — through lectures, discussions and hands-on exercises — on how to provide for physical needs such as food, water, shelter and energy in an environment-friendly and sustainable manner.
Among the topics covered are how to create sustainability in your own community, grow your own food organically, reduce dependency on fossil fuels, grow your own medicine and treat common ailments, build your house from safe, cheap and natural materials, and defend yourself in an increasingly violent world.
“Permaculture is a combination of two words – permanent and culture. It is the science of using natural functions to create an environment that is sustainable in all its functions and in every way. You have to work with nature, not against it,” explains Pedersen.
The Dane, who lives in Indonesia, is a naturopathic doctor, permaculture designer and master of several martial arts systems with more than 25 years of experience in sustainable living. He has been involved with NGOs and activists since he was a teenager but only got into perma-culture a decade ago.
“I was already practising many of the principles in perma-culture but not as an entire system. I prefer to call it sustainability as people are still unfamiliar with the term permaculture,” he says.
Among Pedersen’s main efforts in walking the talk is transforming his home in East Java into an eco-friendly showhouse where water catchments are used to collect rainwater, which in turn is used to breed fish and water the plants. He grows plants wherever possible and uses kitchen and fish waste as fertiliser.
Pedersen does not own a car and eats 80% of his food raw.
“I have travelled to 26 different countries in 20 years and have never needed a car. It’s too destructive to the environment. I’d rather take public transportation. Regarding food, good enzymes are killed at 40°C, so why consume food that has less nutrients? My whole family adopts a similar eating habit, and my eldest son, who is 9½ years old, has never been sick in his life.”
Pedersen recommends watching No Impact Man, directed by Laura Gabbert and Justin Schein, to people who are interested in permaculture. The 2009 documentary features a Manhattan-based family who abandoned their high-consumption, 5th Avenue lifestyle for a year in which they produced little environmental impact.
“This documentary shows excellent examples of how you can implement sustainability in your everyday live, regardless of whether you’re in the city or rural area,” says Pedersen.
Pedersen’s way of life has inspired many to start practising sustainable living. One of his students, Atika Irfan, 36, says she hopes to learn how to become more sustainable after completing his workshop.
The Pakistani, who has been living in Malaysia with her Malaysian husband for 14 years, is now thinking about building a rainwater catchment system, rearing her own fish and prawns, and starting her own salad garden. She currently buys only local products from the local markets to minimise consumption of imported food.
“Over the years, I have realised that companies are all about making profit. Our meat is contaminated with hormones, and chemical pesticides have been making us ill. My mum’s medication costs RM500 each month for 30 pills. Health problems run in my family. I can’t afford the cures so I don’t wish to be sick,” says Atika.
She cites the Asian Food Channel (AFC) programme, River Cottage, where the host cooks up delicious meals using organic ingredients and livestock from his farm, as her main source of inspiration.
Another student, Awaludin Mohal, 68, is moving towards making his 0.8ha land in Janda Baik fully sustainable in preparation for the peak oil phenomenon. Analysts believe that when the oil runs out, the economy will collapse and food will become scarce — Awaludin is giving himself a headstart.
“Food will be a problem when the economy collapses. History shows that people will even kill for food, just like during the 1930s Great Depression. I have to think about my family. It’s better to be prepared than sorry,” he says.
Awaludin grows all sorts of vege-tables on his farm and rears his own chickens, geese and fish.
“I’m looking to grow worms and maggots for my chickens. Worms are also good for the soil. I feed my carp banana leaves and my tilapia eat tapioca leaves,” adds Awaludin, who plans to build an eco-friendly house in the near future.
o Although the aim of the workshop is to set up an Islamic Eco-Village, non-Muslims are welcome to join the course. Dress appropriately. Contact Latifah at lattame@gmail.com or 017-663 1562 to register.
Related Story:
One with the land
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