#vanpermaculture

Permaculture Principles Used:

#1 Observe and Interact #4 Apply Self-Regulation and Accept Feedback #9 Use Small and Slow Solutions #12 Creatively Use and Respond to Change

http://permacultureprinciples.com/principles/

Day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute driving decisions can add up in a big way. Sometimes I have complete control in deciding the manner in which I drive, but other times, factors like weather, terrain and other drivers decide it for me.

The most straight forward way to increase fuel efficiency and reduce wear and tear on a vehicle is by driving slower; however, I find it to be the hardest to fulfill. Driving 70 km/hr gets me about 10km/liter while driving 100 km/hr gets me about 8km/liter. In a 70 liter tank, that’s a difference of 700-540km/tank. This 140km difference means that in four fill-ups of driving 100km/hr, I’m 560 km behind the me who drove 70km/hr. That’s an entire tank of petrol!

Using small and slow solutions like driving slow is within the grasp of travelers, as time is generally on their side. I understand the argument that travelers would often have less time because they’re trying to squeeze in as much as possible before they have to go. I personally enjoy driving slower, especially in a visually captivating country like New Zealand. It just requires a little more planning. However, at the end of a long day of driving, and my patience of using small and slow solutions wearing thin, I’m much more inclined to drive faster just to get there!

Creatively use and respond to change seems to come back full circle to permaculture principle #1: Observe and Interact. Coasting down hills or cruising to a slower speed or stop in neutral are ways of applying these principles to driving habits, reducing wear and tear on the vehicle, and therefore reducing environmental impact. It’s completely dependent on observation of the environment and creatively interacting with it.

Permaculture is a design philosophy that aims to work with nature, rather than against it. Using design principles, designers build resiliency in their agricultural ecosystems that goes beyond sustainability and towards self-sufficiency.

Permaculture addresses food production, homes, communities, and environmental impact at the same. Its fascinating because there is no right way to do it, or “one-size fits all” approach. It necessitates independence of thought, continually being refined by people all over the world facing unique circumstances who respond to them through the lense of permaculture design principles.

So how does this apply to van life? Permaculture is the lense through which to view the world. Turning it towards a lifestyle in a van yields a different set of observations and conclusions than a piece of land. I’ve looked at my van life through the 12 design principles for areas I can improve and build resiliency. (Check out all 12 principles here: http://permacultureprinciples.com/principles/)

I realize driving around New Zealand using petrol is a farcry from a resiliant and sustainable lifestyle. However, adjusting my lifestyle brings greater awareness to where resources go and how they are used. I’ve already introduced a composting system in my van using Bokashi buckets. This is a huge improvement from tossing scraps willy nilly into the bushes besides camp or dropping them in a trashcan wrapped up in a plastic bag. My hope is that once the bucket is full and the compost ferments for about two weeks, I can put it back in the earth where it will be used in a meaningful way.