Take Action Now! 5 Permaculture Things You (the Middle-class) Can Do to Make a Difference Today

We often forget about the role of the middle class in the climate crisis. Educated, financially stable (relatively), mobile, and residing in geographically favorable neighborhoods, the middle-class are the least likely to be affected by climate-related events. But at the same time, they are the most concerned, and yet they have that feeling of helplessness to make any significant impact. 

If you're reading this blog, you probably belong to this demographic. You have the resources and the time to do so. While the rich may have the resources, they don't have the time to read an unknown blog site like this one. 

So here are 5 permaculture-based things based that you can do to jumpstart your paradigm shift to a regenerative way of thinking (take note: baby steps). 

1. Harvest rainwater (Permaculture Design Principle # 2: Catch and Store Energy)

Take advantage of the rainy season (while we still have one)! Rainwater is usually a wasted resource. So instead of just funneling it down the drain, why not use the roof of your house to catch it then store the water in a drum, a bucket, or a cistern? This will come in handy especially if you're in a place where water supply is erratic. You can use it to flush your toilet,  clean your house, and water your garden. Imagine the amount of fresh water we can save if we save and store rainwater. Read more about rainwater harvesting here. 

2. Start a garden (Permaculture Design Principle # 3: Obtain a Yield)

Once you have your rainwater harvester/collector set up, you can now afford to irrigate your garden. Now the goal of the home garden is not self-sufficiency because that is impossible (or not practical) unless gardening is your fulltime job. Start by growing at least one crop and learn how to use it. Don't grow something that you won't cook or eat. Don't worry about the surplus, help your community by giving away surplus crops. Once you have strengthened the linkage between your garden and your kitchen, add more crops to your heart's content. 

3. Practice composting (Permaculture Design Principle # 6: Produce No Waste)

Related to gardening, you can feed your soil with homemade compost. Now this is a bit tricky because there are appropriate ways to compost depending on how much space you have. You can read about it here. Personally, I stick with the open air/heap composting method because I would just pile biodegradables and let the sun, rain, and worms do the work.  

4. Support local businesses and entrepreneurs (Permaculture Design Principle # 10: Use and Value Diversity)

The pandemic has produced diverse home-based businesses in our area. Take the opportunity to choose local businesses over large corporations whenever you can. Help your neighbors, help your community, support the local economy, and reduce your carbon footprint (compute your carbon footprint here). 

5. Discuss solutions with your family and friends (Permaculture Design Principle # 12: Creatively Use and Respond to Change)

We live in a rapidly changing world. But let's be proactive and discuss sustainable and regenerative strategies for our households, neighborhoods, and communities. Our problems will continue to pile up as we experience climate change on a global scale. But we can only move forward. Watch: The most important thing you can do to fight climate change: talk about it (Dr. Katharine Hayhoe)

Read about the permaculture design principles here.