Cultural Adaptation
Culture as the Core
This Working Group brings together people who recognize that cultural change is required for any shift towards sustainability, across a range of spatial scales. Culture has been called the “fourth pillar” of sustainability, to put it on par with society, economy and environment. But the pillar model assumes that culture is restricted to the art, literature and leisure-time entertainment we consume. In reality, culture embraces a broad, evolving set of patterns and processes that reflect who people are, what they think and how they act as individuals and groups. This puts culture at the core of sustainability work.
The American writer Wendell Berry touches on the deeper meaning of culture in an 2005 essay about renewing husbandry, which he defines as "the name of all the practices that sustain life by connecting us conservingly to our places and our world, the art of keeping tied all the strands in the living network that sustains us (Orion, 2005, p 1104)." He goes on to suggest that "this communion is a cultural force that can exist only be becoming personal (p 1105.)"
Multiculturalism
Canada’s national identity is partly based on a rich, multi-cultural social structure. Instead of a “melting pot,” Canadians have chosen to be a “mosaic” of cultural diversity, and Saskatchewan is an excellent example. Saskatchewan people reflect a mixture of races, colours, creeds, religions, languages, nationalities, ethnic origins, and places of birth. This diversity is recognized by the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan, which notes that multiculturalism “promotes the understanding, respect, appreciation, and acceptance of all people as equal in our society.”
The fact that Saskatchewan is home to many cultures means that there is wide range of knowledge and strengths related to sustainability in this region. For instance, reverence for and stewardship of the land is a basic principle of First Nations culture, whereas many immigrant cultures are known for their resourcefulness. It follows that RCE Saskatchewan is in a strong position to build a community of communities, bringing together a variety of approaches and capturing synergies to build sustainable livelihoods for everyone.
ESD Research
Here are some focal points for ESD research aimed at Cultural Adaptation:
- Circumstances that isolate people from Nature and from each other
- How we assess the health of our economies
- Activities that ignore or overlook the limitations of eco-social systems
- Consumerism as a source of fulfillment
- Attitudes and actions that oppress Nature and other people
- Over-emphasis on science and technology
- Disparities arising from industrialized production and globalization
Some other issues in this area:
- The poverty, vulnerability, and inequality (both of opportunity and resources) confronting different cultural groups, especially First Nation's people.
- A lack of tools and mechanisms for assessing whether ESD is fostering a culture of sustainability.
- The role of culture and cultural perspectives in adaptive management.
Glenn Sutter, Ph.D. Co-coordinator, Cultural Adaptation Working Group
Recent blog posts
Peramculture Talk & Workshop Feb 24-25, Regina
Permaculture Regina is hosting Rob Avis of Verge Permaculture, who is touring the province to introduce people to this design system for sustainable human settlements.
A free talk will be given Friday Feb. 24 7-9 p.m. at the Cathedral Neighbourhood Centre, 2900 13th Ave. and on Saturday Feb 25 there will be a workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Room 106, College Building, College & Scarth. For Information and workshop fees call 535-9570 or 522-4167, visit
Eat Healthy Foods, or e-mail permaregina@gmail.com .
*******************************
WHAT IS PERMACULTURE?
(from Introduction to Permaculture by Bill Mollison with Reny Mia Slay)
"Permaculture is a design system for creating sustainable human environments. The word itself is a contraction of permanent argriculture but also of permanent culture, as cultures cannot survive for long without a sustainable agricultural base and land use ethic.
On one level, permaculture deals with plants, animals, buildings and infrastructures (water, energy, communications). However, permaculture is not about these elements themselves, but rather about the
relationships we can create between them by the way we place them in the landscape." (page 1)
"Permaculture is about designing sustainable human settlements. It is a philosophy and approach to land use which weaves together microclimate, annual and perennial plants, animals, soils, water management, and human needs into intricately connected, productive communities." (cover)
*******************************
TALK AND WORKSHOP DETAILS
Permaculture - Feb 24-25, Regina – talk and workshop with Rob Avis of Verge Permaculture
An exciting opportunity to attend a worshop and hear an excellent speaker!
Free talk : Fri Feb 24 ,7-9 pm, Cathedral Neighbourhood Centre, 2900 – 13th Avenue, Regina
Workshop : Sat Feb 25 , 9 am – 5 pm, Room 106, U of R College Avenue bldg., 2100 block College Ave., south side, College Ave & Scarth St, Regina, Saskatchewan
Please arrive between 8:30 and 9:00 am for registration and coffee, the workshop will start promptly at 9:00 - there is a lot of knowledge to share!
This building is wheelchair accessible, access on south side of building.)
Workshop Fees
Before Feb 10: Student - $50, Regular - $90
After Feb 10: Student - $75, Regular - $115
Register by Feb 21 to ensure your spot.
By mail, phone or in-person at: Eat Healthy Foods, 3030 12th Ave, Regina (306) 522-4167
For workshop information or payment options Phone: (306) 535-9570 E-mail: permaregina@gmail.com
Facebook page: “Permaculture Regina”
Is cost an issue? Don’t let that stop you – we’d love to talk to you about ways to make this work for you.
*******************************
PERMACULTURE: A FAST GROWING MOVEMENT FOR POSITIVE CHANGE
Many people today are keenly aware of a need for change and care deeply about the planet and their communities but feel powerless to do anything to make a difference. However, when informed about a diverse and deepening scope of positive, practical & effective solutions people become inspired and empowered change-makers in their communities.
Permaculture Regina is pleased to present Rob Avis of Verge Permaculture. He will discuss the fundamentals of permaculture ethics, principles and design methodology and how it can be applied to:
- improve your home & backyard while saving resources and building a healthy place for family, friends and community;
- build resilient communities patterned after ecological principles; and
- assemble landscapes that clean water, use less energy, provide healthy organic food, save money and contribute to a healthy ecology.
Whether your interest is gardening, building homes, community work, economic regeneration, education, health, planning, business or green lifestyles, the application of permaculture design provides positive solutions towards a sustainable future.
*******************************
ROB AVIS
Rob Avis and his wife Michelle run the Calgary-based consulting & education company, Verge Permaculture which specializes in creating sustainable human environments using whole-systems philosophies and working with nature.
For more information about permaculture please visit www.vergepermaculture.ca
- Joanne H's blog
- Login or register to post comments
Permaculture Talk & Workshop, Regina, Feb 24 & 25
Permaculture Regina is hosting Rob Avis of Verge Permaculture, who is
touring the province to introduce people to this design system for
sustainable human settlements.
A free talk will be given Friday Feb. 24 7-9 p.m. at the Cathedral
Neighbourhood Centre, 2900 13th Ave. and on Saturday Feb 25 there will
be a workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Room 106, College Building, College & Scarth.
For Information and workshop fees call 535-9570 or 522-4167, visit
Eat Healthy Foods, or e-mail permaregina@gmail.com .
*******************************
WHAT IS PERMACULTURE?
(from Introduction to Permaculture by Bill Mollison with Reny Mia Slay)
"Permaculture is a design system for creating sustainable human
environments. The word itself is a contraction of permanent
argriculture but also of permanent culture, as cultures cannot survive
for long without a sustainable agricultural base and land use ethic.
On one level, permaculture deals with plants, animals, buildings and
infrastructures (water, energy, communications). However, permaculture
is not about these elements themselves, but rather about the
relationships we can create between them by the way we place them in
the landscape." (page 1)
"Permaculture is about designing sustainable human settlements. It is
a philosophy and approach to land use which weaves together
microclimate, annual and perennial plants, animals, soils, water
management, and human needs into intricately connected, productive
communities." (cover)
*******************************
TALK AND WORKSHOP DETAILS
Permaculture - Feb 24-25, Regina – talk and workshop with Rob Avis of
Verge Permaculture
An exciting opportunity to attend a worshop and hear an excellent speaker!
Free talk : Fri Feb 24 ,7-9 pm, Cathedral Neighbourhood Centre, 2900
– 13th Avenue, Regina
Workshop : Sat Feb 25 , 9 am – 5 pm, Room 106, U of R College Avenue
bldg., 2100 block College Ave., south side, College Ave & Scarth St,
Regina
Please arrive between 8:30 and 9:00 am for registration and coffee ,
the workshop will start promptly at 9:00 - there is a lot of knowledge
to share!
This building is wheelchair accessible, access on south side of building.)
Workshop Fees
Before Feb 10: Student - $50, Regular - $90
After Feb 10: Student - $75, Regular - $115
Register by Feb 21 to ensure your spot.
By mail, phone or in-person at: Eat Healthy Foods, 3030 12th Ave,
Regina (306) 522-4167
For workshop information or payment options
Phone: (306) 535-9570
E-mail: permaregina@gmail.com
Facebook page: “Permaculture Regina”
Is cost an issue? Don’t let that stop you – we’d love to talk to you
about ways to make this work for you.
*******************************
PERMACULTURE: A FAST GROWING MOVEMENT FOR POSITIVE CHANGE
Many people today are keenly aware of a need for change and care
deeply about the planet and their communities but feel powerless to do
anything to make a difference. However, when informed about a diverse
and deepening scope of positive, practical & effective solutions
people become inspired and empowered change-makers in their
communities.
Permaculture Regina is pleased to present Rob Avis of Verge
Permaculture. He will discuss the fundamentals of permaculture ethics,
principles and design methodology and how it can be applied to:
- improve your home & backyard while saving resources and building a
healthy place for family, friends and community;
- build resilient communities patterned after ecological principles; and
- assemble landscapes that clean water, use less energy, provide
healthy organic food, save money and contribute to a healthy ecology.
Whether your interest is gardening, building homes, community work,
economic regeneration, education, health, planning, business or green
lifestyles, the application of permaculture design provides positive
solutions towards a sustainable future.
*******************************
ROB AVIS
Rob Avis and his wife Michelle run the Calgary-based consulting &
education company, Verge Permaculture which specializes in creating
sustainable human environments using whole-systems philosophies and
working with nature.
For more information about permaculture please visit
www.vergepermaculture.ca
- Joanne H's blog
- Login or register to post comments
Permaculture Talk & Workshop, Regina, Feb 24 & 25
Permaculture Regina is hosting Rob Avis of Verge Permaculture, who is
touring the province to introduce people to this design system for
sustainable human settlements.
A free talk will be given Friday Feb. 24 7-9 p.m. at the Cathedral
Neighbourhood Centre, 2900 13th Ave. and on Saturday Feb 25 there will
be a workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Room 106, College Building, College & Scarth.
For Information and workshop fees call 535-9570 or 522-4167, visit
Eat Healthy Foods, or e-mail permaregina@gmail.com .
*******************************
WHAT IS PERMACULTURE?
(from Introduction to Permaculture by Bill Mollison with Reny Mia Slay)
"Permaculture is a design system for creating sustainable human
environments. The word itself is a contraction of permanent
argriculture but also of permanent culture, as cultures cannot survive
for long without a sustainable agricultural base and land use ethic.
On one level, permaculture deals with plants, animals, buildings and
infrastructures (water, energy, communications). However, permaculture
is not about these elements themselves, but rather about the
relationships we can create between them by the way we place them in
the landscape." (page 1)
"Permaculture is about designing sustainable human settlements. It is
a philosophy and approach to land use which weaves together
microclimate, annual and perennial plants, animals, soils, water
management, and human needs into intricately connected, productive
communities." (cover)
*******************************
TALK AND WORKSHOP DETAILS
Permaculture - Feb 24-25, Regina – talk and workshop with Rob Avis of
Verge Permaculture
An exciting opportunity to attend a worshop and hear an excellent speaker!
Free talk : Fri Feb 24 ,7-9 pm, Cathedral Neighbourhood Centre, 2900
– 13th Avenue, Regina
Workshop : Sat Feb 25 , 9 am – 5 pm, Room 106, U of R College Avenue
bldg., 2100 block College Ave., south side, College Ave & Scarth St,
Regina
Please arrive between 8:30 and 9:00 am for registration and coffee ,
the workshop will start promptly at 9:00 - there is a lot of knowledge
to share!
This building is wheelchair accessible, access on south side of building.)
Workshop Fees
Before Feb 10: Student - $50, Regular - $90
After Feb 10: Student - $75, Regular - $115
Register by Feb 21 to ensure your spot.
By mail, phone or in-person at: Eat Healthy Foods, 3030 12th Ave,
Regina (306) 522-4167
For workshop information or payment options
Phone: (306) 535-9570
E-mail: permaregina@gmail.com
Facebook page: “Permaculture Regina”
Is cost an issue? Don’t let that stop you – we’d love to talk to you
about ways to make this work for you.
*******************************
PERMACULTURE: A FAST GROWING MOVEMENT FOR POSITIVE CHANGE
Many people today are keenly aware of a need for change and care
deeply about the planet and their communities but feel powerless to do
anything to make a difference. However, when informed about a diverse
and deepening scope of positive, practical & effective solutions
people become inspired and empowered change-makers in their
communities.
Permaculture Regina is pleased to present Rob Avis of Verge
Permaculture. He will discuss the fundamentals of permaculture ethics,
principles and design methodology and how it can be applied to:
- improve your home & backyard while saving resources and building a
healthy place for family, friends and community;
- build resilient communities patterned after ecological principles; and
- assemble landscapes that clean water, use less energy, provide
healthy organic food, save money and contribute to a healthy ecology.
Whether your interest is gardening, building homes, community work,
economic regeneration, education, health, planning, business or green
lifestyles, the application of permaculture design provides positive
solutions towards a sustainable future.
*******************************
ROB AVIS
Rob Avis and his wife Michelle run the Calgary-based consulting &
education company, Verge Permaculture which specializes in creating
sustainable human environments using whole-systems philosophies and
working with nature.
For more information about permaculture please visit
www.vergepermaculture.ca
- Joanne H's blog
- Login or register to post comments