PC Ethics for Digital Design

Digital technology can play a supportive role in advancing the three permaculture ethics—Earth Care, People Care, and Fair Share—alongside the 12 permaculture principles. Here are some ways digital technology can contribute. Can you add some?

Earth Care

Precision Ag & Remote Sensing:

Use of drones and satellite imagery to monitor soil health, water use, and crop growth, minimizing resource use and optimizing yields in line with the principle of Catch and Store Energy.

Smart Irrigation Systems:

Implementing digital sensors and controllers that adjust watering schedules based on real-time data, reducing water waste and promoting sustainable use of resources (Use and Value Renewable Resources and Services).

Carbon Footprint Calculators:

Tools that help individuals and communities calculate their environmental impact, encouraging reduced carbon emissions and more sustainable practices (Apply Self-Regulation and Accept Feedback).

Biodiversity Databases:

Digital platforms for tracking and protecting local and global biodiversity, aligning with Use and Value Diversityand Observe and Interactprinciples.

Eco Restoration Maps:

GIS technology to plan and monitor ecological restoration projects, aiding in large-scale efforts to restore degraded lands (Design from Patterns to Details).

Permaculture Design Tech:

Programs that assist in creating permaculture plans, incorporating local climate, soil, and water data to enhance sustainable design (Design from Patterns to Details).

Online Learning:

Access to permaculture education and best practices through digital platforms, promoting widespread knowledge and application of sustainable principles (Obtain a Yield).

People Care

Community Building Tech:

Digital tools that foster local and global permaculture communities, encouraging collaboration and exchange of ideas (Integrate Rather than Segregate).

Wellness Apps:

Applications that support mental and physical health, encouraging mindfulness, stress management, and healthy living aligned with permaculture ethics (People Care).

Mindfulness Tools:

Apps and platforms that encourage reduced screen time and increased engagement with nature, supporting mental health and Observe and Interactprinciples.

E-learning Platforms:

Digital access to permaculture courses, workshops, and resources that promote lifelong learning and skill development (Use Small and Slow Solutions).

Crowdsourced Eco Monitoring:

Apps and platforms that engage local communities in environmental monitoring, empowering citizens to contribute to ecological health (Creatively Use and Respond to Change).

Health Tracking Wearables:

Devices that promote healthy lifestyle choices, aligning with the permaculture principle of Obtain a Yieldby ensuring personal well-being.

Digital Storytelling:

Platforms for sharing experiences and knowledge, fostering a deeper understanding of permaculture ethics and principles among broader audiences (Observe and Interact).

Fair Share

Resource Sharing Tools:

Digital tools that facilitate the sharing of resources (like tools, seeds, or produce) within communities, aligning with the ethic of Fair Shareand the principle of Produce No Waste.

Crowdfunding for Community:

Digital platforms to fund sustainable community projects, ensuring equitable access to resources and promoting Fair Share.

Open-source Tools:

Development and distribution of free digital tools for sustainable living, democratizing access to permaculture knowledge and resources (Use and Value Renewable Resources and Services).

Energy Consumption Apps:

Tools that help households and communities monitor and reduce their energy usage, supporting fair access to resources and Catch and Store Energyprinciples.

Blockchain for Transparency:

Technology to ensure fair trade and sustainable sourcing of materials, promoting ethical consumption and aligning with Fair Share.

Cooperative Economy Tools:

Tools that support the development of cooperative business models, ensuring fair distribution of wealth and resources (Integrate Rather than Segregate).

Twelve Permaculture Principles

Online Knowledge Hubs:

Digital spaces for sharing permaculture knowledge and strategies, supporting Observe and Interactand Apply Self-Regulation and Accept Feedback.

Energy-efficient Devices:

Development and promotion of low-energy digital technologies to reduce the environmental impact, aligning with Use Small and Slow Solutions.

Collaborative Map Tools:

Online tools for community-driven mapping of local resources and biodiversity, supporting Design from Patterns to Details.

Digital Permaculture Games:

Interactive platforms and simulations that educate users on permaculture principles, engaging diverse audiences enacting Use and Value Diversity.

VR for Nature Immersion:

Virtual Reality experiences that simulate natural environments, fostering a connection to nature and promoting Observe and Interact principles.

Digital Marketplaces for Sustainable Products:

Platforms connecting consumers with local, sustainable, and fair-trade products, promoting ethical consumption (Fair Share).

Online Seed Exchanges:

Digital platforms that facilitate the exchange of seeds and plants among gardeners and farmers, encouraging biodiversity and Use and Value Diversity.

Decentralized Digital Networks:

Technologies that promote local resilience and reduce dependency on centralized systems, supporting Use Small and Slow Solutions.

Eco-friendly Web Hosting Services:

Hosting services powered by renewable energy, reducing the digital carbon footprint (Use and Value Renewable Resources and Services).

Remote Collaboration Tools for Sustainable Projects:

Tools that enable collaboration on permaculture projects across distances, promoting knowledge sharing and community building (Integrate Rather than Segregate).

These digital applications can help promote the permaculture ethics of Earth Care, People Care, and Fair Share, and support the 12 permaculture principles by leveraging technology in a thoughtful and sustainable manner.