{"id":2944,"date":"2016-09-28T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-09-27T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ourplanet.org\/ted-howard-permaculture-activist-civilisation-critic-supporter-and-lover-of-indigenous-wisdom-and-biophilia\/"},"modified":"2023-05-11T19:15:31","modified_gmt":"2023-05-11T06:15:31","slug":"ted-howard-permaculture-activist-civilisation-critic-supporter-and-lover-of-indigenous-wisdom-and-biophilia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ourplanet.org\/greenplanetfm\/ted-howard-permaculture-activist-civilisation-critic-supporter-and-lover-of-indigenous-wisdom-and-biophilia\/","title":{"rendered":"Ted Howard: Permaculture Activist, Civilisation Critic, Supporter and Lover of Indigenous Wisdom and Biophilia"},"content":{"rendered":"
Ted is also ex-military <\/strong>(12 years in NZ Army Territorials) becoming a peace activist, especially campaigning Ted co-founded Transition Towns Nelson<\/strong>, but with the change of government from Labour to National, they lost their funding for employing Hosting the Nelson Peace Group<\/strong> during after hours - he also lead a book discussion group based on the books by Daniel Quinn: 'Ishmael', His main focus now is Permaculture gardening\/design during the week. He\u2019s also studying part time as a student on National Certificate in Horticulture, He is passionate about his gardening, but especially about building healthy living soil, such as biological farming and especially soil banking, including He also follows a lot of writings and speeches by Guy McPherson<\/a> on abrupt climate change - by Derrick Jensen<\/a> on bringing down \"civilisation\", by Carolyn Baker<\/a> and Andrew Harvey<\/a> on grief work, and Paul Levy<\/a> on the Greatest disease of our times: Wetiko = a collective psychosis.<\/p>\n Ted\u2019s pretty sure we have entered a period of great change. He calls it The Great Unravelling. He hopes we can get to The Great Turning idea from Joanna Macy<\/a>. In this interview, Ted expresses condolences to Bill Mollison<\/a> who with David Holmgren<\/a> initiated Permaculture, a system that encompasses not only agriculture, horticulture, As an ex territorial soldier \u2013 he states that after 12 years of service he realised that even in NZ we live under a government of occupation on behalf Is not so much about defence of NZ \u2013 but actually an offensive tool of Empire \u2013 and NZ armed personnel have been used all around the world and are still Stating that the modern industrial, intelligence, military, complex is completely insane and out of control \u2013 that it has been for sometime, but has been Ted says he is so grateful that he has been given the opportunity to wake up to this and to take a stand even when his voice trembles and his knees quiver At a local level Ted has studied and found himself embedding himself in indigenous wisdom and realised that indigenous peoples are \u2018an extension of their Though very, very late in the \u2018game\u2019, Ted says this is basically our only way forward, because to carry on the same habits that currently run our paradigm There is a great unravelling happening all around us today as the biosphere can only absorb so much punishment before the tightly coupled ecological systems Rural Maori that Ted knows have much respect from him, because they know how to live more sustainably and understand living within community most being Training as a permaculture, gardener-designer and aware of the radical things happening globally \u2013 his focus is very neighbourhood, at grass roots and Meanwhile the indigenous methods have been quietly waiting for us to waken up to, as they have a lot of wisdom that could make a difference.<\/p>\n One of the benefits of \u2018being\u2019 and doing gardening is that Ted, can download from the web, interviews on organic gardeners and biological farmers telling Ted talks about soil bacteria and that the micro-organisms that when our hands are in the soil they somehow communicate across our skin membrane and interact This helps him deal with the grief of watching our \u2018civilisation\u2019 and biosphere unravelling \u2013 yet - this connection with the soil and his hands in the We talk about the huge change that is coming right now.<\/p>\n The 6TH Mass Extinction and we are in it right now!<\/p>\n 200 plus species a day going to extinction \u2013 day after day after day \u2013 these are our kin \u2013 our cousins and we ignore this at great peril. And we do not Asked by numerous people why he does not stand for local government \u2013 Ted states that if he did \u2013 it would only be for a platform \u2013 to rant. That he would So he is not about to be enter politics where he is up against the continuation of the same economic growth system based on money and export earnings, He is for growth of recognising that we need to preserve, regenerate, revive and protect the natural environment \u2013 because without it we don\u2019t have an Having a garden or chickens you can gift your produce to friends and people \u2013 it\u2019s a wonderful feeling to do, because you have put so much love and good Globally much more food comes from small farmers. He mentions Vandana Shiva \u2013 who in many ways speaks for small farmers on many issues, especially the Starting Anew and Being More Heart Centred.<\/p>\n Having academic degrees did not satisfy him s he has switched course and gone off on a different direction .<\/p>\n \u201cA revolution can start in a garden\u201d says Bill Mollison - \u201cand can be disguised as gardening\u201d \u2013 so by including local food sovereignty \u2013 this is quite He finds it a fascinating time to be alive \u2013 so much in flux With barter, green dollars, times banks \u2013 and the GIFT economy.<\/p>\n Transition Neighborhoods seem to be the way forward \u2013 cells communicating with cells and clusters of cells …<\/p>\n Are Humans biophobic? Why? We we need instead to be biophiliac\u2019s, floating in biophilia \u2013the love of nature \u2013 the joy of nature - the joy of nature with Most indigenous peoples are unable to understand why it is taking us so long to work out that we are not separated from nature … they shrug their Ted reckons that we will return to a light ecological foot print when our present economic system \u2018drops out\u2019 and by us then returning to total immersion He ventures the statement that we are actually in a dark ages and that at present humanity is neck deep in a malaise of greed, avarice, consumption and Ted calls it \u201cclimb-out-ology\u201d - time to climb out to a light ecological footprint. To also embraces smart decline and de-growth rebuilding our local land bases \u2013 a re-naturing of areas of areas.<\/p>\n And it is very, very late in the game! We may not pull it off \u2013 so be it - but he will continue unabated to his last breath.<\/p>\n Maori Understanding of Nature.<\/p>\n He is doing a lot for all those creatures and kin who are going extinct every day, by working with the ecology and talking to people of his concerns. <\/p>\n Ted, encourages us to go and listen to local Maori \u2013 and their communities as they are less individualistic and more community players. They having a reverence Plan A<\/strong> \u2013 continuance is unsustainable <\/p>\n Plan B<\/strong> - Big Green Party vision - renewable energy \u2013 smart cars etc \u2013 Ted doesn\u2019t believe it will succeed \u2013 being not sustainable. Still Plan C -<\/strong> Energy descent and earth stewardship \u2013 David Holmgren said that this was the way \u2013 but has canned it recently and now says we Plan D<\/strong> - Which is \u2018lifeboat communities.\u2019 Ted feel that this is closer to the truth. <\/p>\n NZ is a potential lifeboat community \u2013 hence our influx of migrant population, from nearly every country including a vast number of races. <\/p>\n Our economy according to the spin of the National Government is a \u2018rock star economy\u2019 however Ted\u2019s says it\u2019s unsustainably on the rocks. As it is immigration There are many environmental communities still going across the country and they are surviving \u2013 Ted posits the idea of a \u2018network of resistance\u2019 \u2013 that There are wonderful people living out on the land across the whole country who love their land and their animals and have been doing wonderful work helping The biggest difference between those in the world today says Derek Jensen is \u2018those that do something and those who do nothing\u2019 - Find what you like to Plan C is what Ted thinks is best as the political process unravels. We have to work in community \u2013 we cannot do it by oneself \u2013 in todays world self sufficiency and self reliance is virtually impossible - it is to hard Indigenous peoples say that they do everything with the village as their prime consideration - also the tribe \u2013 it\u2019s about the community about the neighbourhood- In our modern culture which is \u2018hyper individuated\u2019 - is narcissistic and is about \u2018look at me, look at me, look at me\u2019 … whose got the best toys? Now ask the question. Where is your water coming from \u2013 where is your food coming from?<\/p>\n The message from the Hopi Elders the 11th hour \u2013 we are in it and it is closing on 12 o\u2019clock \u2013 It\u2019s come together time, know your community, know your
\n against depleted uranium, where NZ troops were deployed. NZ Defence personnel today will be suffering health problems because of this. He has also
\n completed a master\u2019s paper in remote sensing (aerial and satellite photo mapping) to compliment his Degree in Geology and Geography.
\n \n<\/p>\n
\n a co-ordinator, and with the collapse of the price of oil, lost their impetus, and most members drifted away. The one thing that survives is the Permaculture
\n in Nelson Group (PNG), that he still co-hosts.
\n \n<\/p>\n
\n 'My Ishmael', 'The Story of B', 'Beyond Civilisation'. This started a process of questioning the foundations of who he was and what culture he was
\n living in. <\/p>\nPermaculture<\/h3>\n
\n level 4.<\/p>\n
\n installing chook runs and small water harvesting projects.<\/p>\nActivism<\/h3>\n
\n It\u2019s very late in the game though, collapse of the biosphere is well underway. But he\u2019s here for the natural communities and the rest of life, to make
\n a difference with the time he has left, regardless of how short that is, or isn't!<\/p>\n
\n architecture, and ecology, but also economic systems, land access strategies, and legal systems for businesses and communities. Bill Mollison, died
\n this last week after initiating a revolution on how humans can survive with living on and with the land,<\/p>\nEx Military<\/span>
<\/h3>\n
\n of empire, it is about dividing and ruling the communities, it\u2019s about opening the country up to rape, pillage and extraction \u2013 and this also includes
\n the so called NZ defence forces. <\/p>\n
\n being used as offensive weapons for Empire. With that realisation and start of the Gulf War in Iraq - Ted resigned and became a peace activist. <\/p>\n
\n getting a lot worse.<\/p>\n
\n and say \u2018this is not what we are here for.\u2019 As an ex-soldier he stands and states - we can do this differently.<\/p>\nIndigenous Knowing<\/h3>\n
\n environment\u2019 and that they are infused with the ecology that surround them. That, they are intimately connected with the seasons and know that the
\n earth is their great sustainer. That the people of the first nations of North America took into the deepest of consideration the term \u2018looking seven
\n generations ahead\u2019 to see that the environment could peacefully fulfil their needs whilst they revered and acknowledged the sacredness of life.<\/p>\n
\n is in essence a race to the bottom.<\/p>\n
\n that so elegantly overlap and blend both up and down the vastness of the nature kingdom collapse.<\/p>\n
\n connected by a marae, or meeting place. This will stem from their original belief systems.
\n <\/p>\nLocalising<\/h3>\n
\n what can be done locally as a humble yet stirring permaculture gardener. He finds deep satisfaction and huge relief in getting his hands dirty in the
\n garden on a daily basis. Mainly helping out with friends, colleagues and clients to put in an edible landscape to help with biodiversity and raise
\n as much awareness as possible. Maintaining that \u2018civilisation\u2019 (a swear word in Ted\u2019s vernacular) is insanely unsustainable \u2013 and we could do it differently.<\/p>\nEducation & Learning <\/h3>\n
\n their story, some interviews even from GreenplanetFM.com - such as Graeme Sait and Dee Pigney that their knowing is so very inspiring. That he fires
\n up and enthusiastically put his whole being into aligning with the garden and helping with the landscape. And on a lovely day it is a joy and a pleasure
\n …<\/p>\n
\n with the micro-organisms within us. And there is a sort of osmosis that occurs that affects our brain chemistry and we feel good.<\/p>\n
\n earth, helps him deal with the hurt and thus the soil heals him as well as grounds him. By finding joy in this whole process and he states - deep joy
\n it\u2019s so profound and this is what keeps him going \u2013 this is his juice - however, he does not know how long he can keep doing this? But he will continue
\n until he is unable.<\/p>\nChallenges Surrounding Us<\/h3>\n
\n know which of them at some stage in the radical interdependent interconnectedness of everything- is going to pull apart the web of life and impact
\n us even more … So Ted does what he does - for them \u2013 doing his best for all the biota that live within our biosphere.<\/p>\nRadical Viewpoints?<\/h3>\n
\n state - from Derick Jensen\u2019s book \u2018End Game\u2019 \u2013\u2018that the needs of the natural community come before the needs of the economic system.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n more housing sub-divisions and we will get more prosperous blah, blah etc. What he is - is an advocate for de-growth and smart decline. He is also
\n an exponent for \u2018growth of relationships\u2019 \u2013 with each other and growth of relationships with everything within the \u2018living community.\u2019 <\/p>\n
\n economy!<\/p>\nGift economy - Sharing<\/h3>\n
\n vibes into growing lovely organic splendour. Ted is an urban chook farmer which he feeds fresh greens to like puha and dandelion and they go crazy
\n over wanting to eat it \u2013 same for silver beet and spinach. Listen to this talk by Ted - about his chickens and the win, win, win situations he is involved
\n in.<\/p>\n
\n perils of GE & GMO\u2019s and mentions that Agri business is not only very new but it is not as productive as small farmers globally.<\/p>\n
\n revolutionary \u2013 but it can\u2019t stop there it has to be a lot more revolutionary \u2013 Listen to this interview to Teds response to being engaged in sedition\u263a
\n <\/p>\nCommunion With Nature<\/h3>\n
\n us and around us. We are an integrated part of the entire natural community. That natural community is not what we control \u2013 that natural community
\n is our natural kin \u2013 is our family … listen for more to Ted on this interview.<\/p>\n
\n shoulders in disbelief.
\n <\/p>\n
\n in ecological communion with the land we can\/may be able to draw from the earth for all our needs. <\/p>\nSeparation and Disconnection & Why?<\/h3>\n
\n competition. A predicament that the North America First Nation Peoples say - that we are afflicted by Wetico \u2013 \u2018the disease of the civilised ones\u2019
\n \u2013 better known in some circles as being taken over by a mind parasite \u2013 and our urgent need and task is to face this - and climb out of this pit. <\/p>\n
\n <\/p>\nTime is of the Essence<\/h3>\n
\n of nature and invoke their gods when cutting a tree down or going fishing. <\/p>\nWhat To Do?<\/h3>\n
\n based on industrialism and the extractive economy
\n <\/p>\n
\n are going to do plan A (brown tech) until we can\u2019t and then when it crashes we immediately go to .<\/p>\n
\n <\/p>\n
\n that is artificially keeping NZ\u2018s balance of payments in the black and it\u2019s take their money to pay for housing and infrastructure.
\n <\/p>\n
\n their love of community and nature brings them together.<\/p>\n
\n to preserve, protect, regenerate and defend it.
\n <\/p>\n
\n do your passion \u2013 what you love that supports local community and land base and go and do it \u2013 because that is the only future that Ted can see.<\/p>\n
\n <\/p>\n
\n and lonely Talk to any remnant indigenous peoples who have lived for thousands of years and they will say - \u201chow long has it taken you to work that
\n out?\u201d <\/p>\n
\n it has always been \u2018the collective\u2019 \u2013 this is why they have been this sustainable for this long.<\/p>\nPresent Day 21st Century Culture <\/h3>\n
\n Whose got the biggest toys?Whose got the most toys? It\u2019s gone insane - especially when we bother to look up and look around we see we are pulling the
\n whole biosphere down, by pulling the rug out from under it by all - by our unconscious actions of material extraction and consumption.<\/p>\n
\n garden. Hopi Prophecy<\/a>.<\/p>\n