Permaculture and Climate Change Adaptation by Thomas Henfrey and Gil Penha-Lopes

I give this book 8 out of 10 acorns

This short, affordable book of around 100 pages is ideal for introducing permaculture concepts to people concerned about the effects of climate change. It is sumptuously illustrated with abundant full colour photographs covering ideas and projects from all over the world, all geared towards demonstrating how permaculture can help us adapt to and mitigate climate change. It covers a broad range of strategies in short, focused chapters, mostly just two or three pages in length. Although written by academics, the language used is not daunting or overly scientific in any way, but it is precise and accurate, inspiring confidence and encouraging the reader to delve deeper into the subjects covered. It is not a how-to book, it is for opening people's eyes to the possibilities that permaculture offers to bring hope to a changing planet.

This is a book to get into the hands of anyone with an interest in our planet, be they politicians, teachers, students, or your own friends who you want to be able to share a little hope with. It won't answer all their questions, but it will open their eyes to possibilities, and inspire them to start asking better questions.

Here's the list of contents to give you a better idea of the range of subjects introduced.

1. Introduction

2. Background

2 .1 Climate Change: from Adaptation to Transformation
2.2 Permaculture and Climate Change Adaptation
2.3Cultivating a Global Climate Change Action Research Community

3. Perspectives, Local and Global

3.1 Indigenous Peoples, Climate Change, and Permaculture
3.2 Global Perspectives: Biomes, Planetary Boundaries and Sustainable Developmental Goals

4. Strategies

4.1 Water Regulation and Management
4.2 Soil Protection and Restoration
4.3 Revegetation
4.4 Agrodiversity
4.5 Agroecology
4.6 Creation and Use of Microclimates
4.7 Bioclimatic Building
4.8 Energy Descent
4.9 Bioregionalism and Economic Localisation
4.10 Regenerative Enterprise
4.11 Commons-Based Governance
4.12 Social Technologies
4.13 Conflict Transformation
4.14 Personal Resilience
4.15 Changing Worldviews
4.16 Indigenous and Local Knowledge
4.17 Popular Education

5. Future steps

5.1 Permaculture and Climate Policy
5.2 Climate Change Statement and Action Plan

Quite an apt book promotion considering this on the BBC today http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-36579125

David

Permaculture is just another road leading us into the new world. Hooray for the aboriginals in Australia!