Editorial note: We published the first part of the interviews from the International Permaculture Convergence on Resilience.org here.
SUMMARY: This is the second program from International Permaculture Convergence, in London. Keynote speech by internationally known Geoff Lawton. 3 interviews by Albert Bates: from UK, Andy Goldring of Permaculture Association; from Germany Declan Kennedy; from USA Andrew Millison.Real solutions for the real world. Radio Ecoshock 151028
FROM AUSTRALIA: GEOFF LAWTON
Would you like a persistent source of short videos of hope, where people like you generate abundant food working with nature, rather than against her? Just get on Geoff Lawton‘s mailing list. He’s turned me on to permaculture do-ers who have ended up as guests on Radio Ecoshock.
After writing books on permaculture, and teaching literally thousands of students, Lawton is among the few who have designed and guided major eco-restoration projects in many countries, including at the request of governments. In the last few years, he’s put out tons of videos (many free) and DVD courses for sale. His videos have made him famous. Here is a list of 200 of his videos on You tube!
So it’s fitting that despite a belief in non-hierachical networking, Geoff Lawton give a first keynote speech at the 15th Annual International Permaculture Convergence, held in mid-September 2105, in London.
Here is that talk. Download or listen to this 25 minute presentation by Geoff Lawton (lightly edited for radio) in CD Quality or Lo-Fi
A listener raised the point that Geoff did not mention, much less discuss, climate change in this keynote speech. That’s a shame, as permaculture has so much to offer in ways to capture carbon back into the soil, on a large scale. Geoff has been a regular on the Survival Podcast with Jack Spirko out of Texas. Spirko has denied that climate change is really a big threat to humanity. However, Lawton does talk about adapting to climate change in the Permaculture Designers’ Manual. There’s some ambivalence there.
My other beef is that Lawton ends this talk with over-the-top optimism about the Eden that the permaculture revolution will bring. It’s too much roses and candy for me. I don’t think there will be a happy time to come, where permaculture solves all. It’s more a desperation move toward sanity, which may or may not take off. Even if it does, we are still in for very difficult times, which Lawton does not tell his audience. Sometime I’ll ask Geoff about all this.
The Lawton presentation came at the International Permaculure Convergence, in mid-September in London. Find more about Geoff at http://geofflawton.com/
You can find a whole series of You tube videos of presentations at this Convergence on You tube here.
FROM GERMANY: DECLAN KENNEDY
Next up, Albert Bates interviews the Octagenarian permaculture activist, transplanted from Ireland to Germany, Declan Kennedy.
"Declan Kennedy (born 24 July 1934, in Dublin) is an Irish architect. He was a leader of the Global Ecovillage Network Europe (1995–99), Director of the Permaculture Institute for Europe (1984–89), and Vice President of the Berlin Institute of Technology (1975–78). He has been Professor of Architecture at the TU Berlin since 1972."
Here is Declan’s page and bio at Gaia University.
Download or listen to this 5 minute interview by Albert Bates with Declan Kennedy in CD Quality (only)
ABOUT OUR GUEST HOST ALBERT BATES
Albert is the author of books like "The Biochar Solution: Carbon Farming and Climate Change" and "The Post-Petroleum Survival Guide and Cookbook: Recipes for Changing Times". He is the host of "The Great Change" blog at peaksurfer.blogspot.ca. Bates has lived at the iconic Tennessee intentional community "The Farm" for decades.
While attending the Permaculture Convergence, Albert volunteered to interview some of the top permaculture leaders for Radio Ecoshock. Thank you so much Albert!
If you are attending cool conferences, why not take along a good recording device. Think of all the air miles you’ve save me – and Radio Ecoshock listeners. Best to check with me first, using the contact form at my web site, ecoshock.org, or just write me: radio //at// ecoshock.org.
FROM THE UK: ANDY GOLDRING
Albert’s next guest is one of the long-serving leaders and communicators of Permaculture in the United Kingdon. For many years, Andrew/Andy Goldring has been the Co-ordinator and CEO of the Permaculture Association in Britain since 1999.
We find out more in this interview by Albert Bates…
Download or listen to this 13 minute interview by Albert Bates with Andy Goldring in CD Quality or Lo_Fi
Andy Goldring is a driving force toward a greater international organization and wide-spread skill and knowledge sharing.
FROM THE USA: ANDREW MILLISON
Albert Bates contributes our last interview, this time with Andrew Millison, from Corvalis, Oregon. Let’s get this American perspective on the highs from the 15th International Permaculture Convergence in London, last September. Andrew Millison is a professional permacultural designer working out of Corvalis, Oregon.
Find the website for Permaculture Design International here.
Download or listen to this 13 minute interview by Albert Bates with Adrew Millison in CD Quality or Lo-Fi
ARE WE ON THE ROAD TO PERMACULTURE?
It’s fair to say this world, our times, are suffering from growing pains. As a core project of our civilization and existence, we grow food in unsustainable ways, threatening the future, and destroying nature in the present. I’m convinced. In my little village plot, I have started down the road toward a culture than can last through the ages. What about you?
