In the natural world, it is rare for an ecosystem to completely exhaust its resources and leave an area depleted and unusable. Natural ecosystems function through continuous interaction, circular development, and repeated resource reuse. In nature, the waste of one organism often becomes the resource that nourishes another.

If humans ignore the importance of using renewable resources, it becomes impossible to follow many other permaculture principles. Depleting the resources within our ecosystems will ultimately lead to consequences that directly affect human life. Therefore, using renewable resources is essential for building a stable and sustainable lifestyle, while protecting ecosystems and the natural environment.

1. Time

Time has been mentioned frequently in the previous principles because it is truly the most valuable resource humans possess.

The only way to gain more usable time is by taking good care of both our physical and mental well-being. We must make the most of this precious resource by maintaining healthy habits such as balanced nutrition and regular exercise.

When your body and mind are healthy, you are better able to maximize the time available in your life and use it in meaningful ways.

2. Movement

Our bodies themselves are a renewable resource. When we provide our bodies with proper nourishment and care, they generate the energy that allows us to move and perform daily activities.

The amount of energy we have depends largely on how well we take care of our bodies. Staying active and maintaining flexibility allows us to make full use of this valuable resource.

The more we rely on the renewable energy produced by our bodies rather than non-renewable energy sources, the healthier we become. The human body is a unique and remarkable resource: the more we use it, the stronger and more resilient it becomes.

3. Energy

To protect the ecosystems we live in, humans must learn to work with nature rather than against it.

There are many opportunities in everyday life to transition toward greater use of renewable energy, and we should try to incorporate as many of these options as possible. At times, these choices may not seem to bring immediate personal benefits, but in reality, humans and natural energy systems are deeply interconnected.

If humans pollute ecosystems, those systems become less productive and less capable of supporting life. The natural world shows that when ecosystems are damaged, all species that depend on them are affected.

Humans are part of that same ecosystem. A healthy ecosystem supports healthy people.

Source:
Designing Your Life with Permaculture — Josh David
https://www.permaculture.co.uk/Designing-Your-Life-Permaculture

This article is part of the Permaculture series, which shares approaches to designing sustainable lifestyles and practicing regenerative agriculture based on permaculture principles. 🌱