Connecting Equality, Justice and Sustainability - Permaculture Action Network

Today, I am going to introduce you

to the Permaculture Action Network,

which is an incredible organization

that is mobilizing thousands

of people across the nation

to regenerate the land,

to live more sustainably

through permaculture and direct action

while creating more just and equal
systems.

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Being in an urban environment

and doing this type of work is key

to reaching a lot of people,

and showing people of all ages
intergenerational,

the importance of knowing where

their food comes from,

and reconnecting the food with the
community.

In an urban environment

we are densely populated,

and this is where we need it the most.

When we think of sustainability, we think,

okay, how can we kind of limit

the harm that we are doing

and keep things where we are at

more or less, but to be regenerative.

And say we need to go way
beyond that.

There has already been so much
damage done.

We need to heal that damage.

We need to increase biodiversity,

create more life afirming systems

So to regenerate is to really build back

that network of connections between

all organisms and living things.

For me a big part of permaculture

is actually understanding how

to communicate and understanding

what people's needs are

and understanding how to work together

to meet those needs so that we can

make environmentaly sustainable choices.

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Permaculture Action Network is Rad!

They are a really amazing group
of activists.

You can tell as a company

and as a network of people,

they are just very well versed

in how to do the work, how to move lightly

and gracefully within the communities

that they work with, how to gather people

and have a lot of different folks

in charge and in places of leadership.

Permaculture Action Network

partners with performing artists,

touring musicians, festivals, to mobilize

people from cultural events,

to days of direct action where we

are building regenerative systems
like these.

We invite people to spaces to recognize

that they can learn new skills and become

resilient peoples amongst their
communities.

To actually provide the necessities

of life and livelihood in their place.

Showing up after a tour is holy
gratifying

to be able to get your hands in the ground

and plant a tree or weed a lawn.

You know, it is just really gratifying

on a very base level.

I think of it as sort of a triangle of
energy,

where Rising Appalachia's

or whatever band or musician

is sort of a bugle call to the people

about an action day happening.

Permaculture action is well versed

in organizing in permaculture

and getting the tools needed

to make that happen.

And then they work very closely with

someone on the ground that owns the land,

or owns the house or the farm

or the community garden.

So it is kind of a triad of support

that works really well.

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We are creating a dynamic environment

in which people can work on collective

liberation with one another.

And everyone benefits from the situation.

Regeneration means building back up
the soil,

building back up the community.

The only way to do that is to have

diversity and good energy.

It is not an environmental movement.

It is a cultural movement.

By permaculture, to me it is kind of
self explanitory,

but it has gotten confused.

It just means building a culture

that can sustain into the future.

I see the healing as an overall big

process in terms of people healing not

just their body, but healing their mind.

I think that is something that I have

been able to do and been showing
people how,

so that they can appreciate the art

of a farmer or gardener so that

later on in life, that...

Hey, you can do this yourself.

Healing is being able feed your community.

Being able to gather together.

Being able to talk and share stories

and learn new skills.

It is really imporatant to us to

do this kind of work in a new way.

I think the quote that most stands out

in my mind is, "If you have come

to help me, then you are wasting
your time.

But if you have come because you realize

your liberation is bound up with mine,

then let us work together."

That right there is what we are

trying to create through these
action days.

That is what this movement is about.

Us creating our own futures that we want.

That is what regeneration is.

Constant learning is how we will

be able to adapt and regenerate.

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In my nearly decade of working in
sustainability,

the Permaculture Action Network truly is

one of the most authentic,

and really well designed,

and well thought-out organizations

that I have come across.

They are not just working on
sustainability.

It is about true equality and justice
as well.

These things really cannot be
seperated.

They are all together.

I hope that you will support their

work and get involved.

There are links in the description

of this video in order to be able to
do that.

If you want this to get out there

and inspire more people,

make sure that you like this video,

comment, and share it with people

who would be inspired by this.

Many more videos are to come.

Make sure to subscribe to this channel

as well, if you have not already yet.

I love you all very much

and I will see you again real soon.