Sustainability in the Time of Crisis
Our sustainable, eco-home/permaculture garden/beautiful land has taken a bit of a pause over the last two months. From moving rental homes (because our home doesn’t have a roof yet), to my sudden trip to the US to see my sick father and now self-isolation and a pandemic has redirected our energies. However, at times like these, with such uncertainty in the future of our world, having land is golden.
The more time we invest in learning about sustainable living the more prepared we are when the grocery store shelves run bare. The economy has skidded to a halt and with unforeseeable factory production, the most reliable source of food is locally or home grown produce. We are lucky to live in a community where farmer’s markets are frequented and roadside produce are aplenty but as we continue to head into an uncertain future, the best bet is to begin digging, composting and planting. The permaculture structure could begin flourishing in popularity as sprays and fertilisers may not be readily available for farmers and gardeners who depend on them. For those of us living in a sustainable way, the impact of the Coronavirus will still hit us, but not with such desperation as those who rely solely on grocery stores for their food.
I feel a sense of positivity with the way in which we have chosen to live our life but I am also aware of our limitations. I am at best, a novice gardener, my partner is much more knowledgeable and we are still learning, trying and failing but our minds and hearts are open to the project. Another limitation is the precaution we have to take in inviting Wwoofers into our home which decrease the helping hands we need to get this project off the ground (or the roof in the air). We may not be able to get the supplies that we need because, although it would be lovely, we are not making our home solely out of clay. We need a crane to lift the roof on, we need joinery that is being crafted off site, we need lighting, an electrician and all the other minute details we are dealing with in house-building. I am aware of how lucky we are though, because even though we ‘need’ those things to finish our house, we still have shelter, water, food, family and health. We have love, books, education, community and skype to keep in touch with our friends and families.
My heart goes out to those seriously affected by this chaos. The ones who are dying, losing family members, not being able to visit those in need and the ones facing fear and uncertainty as they have lost their jobs. This pandemic has produced bittersweet confusion, at least for me. The virus is scary for people, but the earth is thriving as a result of quarantine: decreased factory production, decreased traveling and lower CO2 levels resulting in a dramatic decrease in pollution. Quality family time and the quietness of our society is a welcome break to the ‘stress’ and ‘business’ of life.
We can focus now on what is important on a very basic level. Digging in the soil is good for our mental and physical health, gardening and planting food is bringing food production into our hands and in front of our eyes instead of absent-mindedly grabbing food from the grocery store shelves. We will be depending on each other as a community rather than big businesses and hopefully, plastic production will slow.
My hope for the future of our world is that this virus shows us just how UN-sustainably we have been functioning and that a serious change needs to be made.
Keep gardening friends. Good luck and good health.
QUARANTINE
The more time we invest in learning about sustainable living the more prepared we are when the grocery store shelves run bare. The economy has skidded to a halt and with unforeseeable factory production, the most reliable source of food is locally or home grown produce. We are lucky to live in a community where farmer’s markets are frequented and roadside produce are aplenty but as we continue to head into an uncertain future, the best bet is to begin digging, composting and planting. The permaculture structure could begin flourishing in popularity as sprays and fertilisers may not be readily available for farmers and gardeners who depend on them. For those of us living in a sustainable way, the impact of the Coronavirus will still hit us, but not with such desperation as those who rely solely on grocery stores for their food.
I feel a sense of positivity with the way in which we have chosen to live our life but I am also aware of our limitations. I am at best, a novice gardener, my partner is much more knowledgeable and we are still learning, trying and failing but our minds and hearts are open to the project. Another limitation is the precaution we have to take in inviting Wwoofers into our home which decrease the helping hands we need to get this project off the ground (or the roof in the air). We may not be able to get the supplies that we need because, although it would be lovely, we are not making our home solely out of clay. We need a crane to lift the roof on, we need joinery that is being crafted off site, we need lighting, an electrician and all the other minute details we are dealing with in house-building. I am aware of how lucky we are though, because even though we ‘need’ those things to finish our house, we still have shelter, water, food, family and health. We have love, books, education, community and skype to keep in touch with our friends and families.
My heart goes out to those seriously affected by this chaos. The ones who are dying, losing family members, not being able to visit those in need and the ones facing fear and uncertainty as they have lost their jobs. This pandemic has produced bittersweet confusion, at least for me. The virus is scary for people, but the earth is thriving as a result of quarantine: decreased factory production, decreased traveling and lower CO2 levels resulting in a dramatic decrease in pollution. Quality family time and the quietness of our society is a welcome break to the ‘stress’ and ‘business’ of life.
We can focus now on what is important on a very basic level. Digging in the soil is good for our mental and physical health, gardening and planting food is bringing food production into our hands and in front of our eyes instead of absent-mindedly grabbing food from the grocery store shelves. We will be depending on each other as a community rather than big businesses and hopefully, plastic production will slow.
My hope for the future of our world is that this virus shows us just how UN-sustainably we have been functioning and that a serious change needs to be made.
Keep gardening friends. Good luck and good health.
QUARANTINE
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