What if every sustainability problem we face as a society could be transformed into an opportunity or innovative solution?
The idea that the problem is the solution is the core of permaculture — a design philosophy for sustainable living. Instead of battling against nature, permaculture teaches us to collaborate with it, turning challenges into innovative solutions.
By embracing this concept we can find new uses for what we typically view as waste, whether it’s excess water, invasive weeds, or even heavy traffic.
Are you curious about how this mindset shift can be applied? Join us as we uncover 5 practical ways problems lead to solutions.
Turning Problems into Solutions at La Vita Sukha
At La Vita Sukha, we aim to minimise waste. One of our methods of doing that is turning the problem of food waste into food scraps for our lovely chickens. This means nothing gets wasted, even fruit skins and peels.
We also turned our problem of dead walls into living green walls using trellises and plant climbers. This acts as a beautiful pollinator-attracting garden and regulates temperature by preventing the sun from beating down on bare concrete.
5 Types of Permaculture Problem Solving
1. Excess Water as a Resource
Excess water can be transformed into a resource in a multitude of ways using permaculture techniques.
Too much water on land can be directed into ponds or swales which store water and support local wildlife, turning a potential flood risk into a resource for irrigation and habitat creation. Grey water from households can be filtered and reused to conserve fresh water and nourish plants.
Exuberance water can also be used in innovative aquaponics systems, where fish and plants grow together. The fish waste fertilises the plants, and the plants filter the water, creating a closed loop that recycles water.
2. Weeds and Pests as Helpers
The problem is the solution when it comes to weeds. Weeds can act as natural indicators of soil health. Certain weeds can only grow in particular types of soil, so by observing what weeds are growing, you can identify and fix soil issues. Weeds can also act as living mulch which protects soil from erosion, conserves moisture, and suppresses the growth of other more problematic weeds.
Even pests can provide ecological solutions to our problems. Similar to weeds, the presence of certain pests can signal a need, in this case, for more biodiversity. Surprisingly some pests can serve as predators for other more harmful pests, which helps with maintaining ecological balance.
3. Waste is Useful
Permaculture problem-solving also relates to the problem of waste. Waste materials such as kitchen scraps and garden clippings can be composted to enrich the soil, or used to feed animals in the case of kitchen scraps. Waste materials like leaves and wood chips can be used as mulch to protect the soil.
Other kinds of waste like old tyres or broken containers can be up-cycled into furniture or as functional garden infrastructure such as planters or garden edging. This reduces the need to buy new materials and gives waste a sustainable second life.
4. Traffic = Transport Solutions
With traffic and congestion, the problem is the solution. Traffic problems usually lead to more efficient public transportation systems. Cities may invest in expanding and improving train networks and bike lanes or providing people with reliable alternatives to driving.
The development of bike lanes and infrastructure that supports walking reduces dependency on cars, which in turn is beneficial to the environment.
5. Scarce Resources Leads to New Business
Societal problems can drive innovative alternative solutions from businesses and entrepreneurs. As fossil fuels become increasingly scarce, there is a growing market for clean, renewable, energy solutions. Resource scarcity leads companies to develop new technologies to use fewer resources, reduce waste, and lower costs.
Businesses are also turning to research and development for the innovative cultivation of more sustainable materials, plant-based foods, and renewable energy solutions.
The Problem is The Solution: How to Get Involved
The idea that the problem is the solution encourages us to think more creatively and be more innovative, whether it’s in our city, our community, or our personal lives.
The next time you face a problem, ask yourself how the very problem might contain the solution you’ve been looking for.
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