Magazines about permaculture and self-reliance

If our ancestors could see us now. Housing costs on the rise. Fossil fuels running out. Privatized water supplies. Crops threatened by drought. Utility bills skyrocketing. Life a blur of coping and keeping up. Rampant denial that anything is wrong.

What will we do? Trust government to save us? Rely on private industry, "insurance," and the good ol' free market? It need not be so. A grass-roots movement testifies to alternatives, a movement big enough to include back-to-the-landers, survivalists, urban gardeners, home canners, wildcrafters, gleaners, tinkerers, do-it-ourselfers, and thrifty people of all sorts.

Dozens of magazines have sprung up from this movement or cater to its needs. From their pages one may learn how to collect rainwater, install solar electric systems, plant an orchard, or -- more important -- reject despair, embrace self-reliance, and live in a way that considers a sane future for generations to come.

Permaculture Activist reports from the grass roots on topics related to design and agriculture, with the aim of "returning control of resources for living -- food, water, shelter, and the means of livelihood -- to ordinary people in their communities." The spring 2006 issue focuses on declining world oil supplies and includes articles on biofuels, "cultivating algae for liquid fuel production," and "how Cuba survived peak oil." $23/yr. (4 issues) from Box 1209, Black Mountain, NC 28711; www.permacultureactivist.net.

Permaculture is a quarterly England-based magazine similarly presenting "solutions for sustainable living." Recent editions have examined the Indian ecocity Auroville, forest and rooftop gardening, construction using earth bags (soil-filled sacks), walnut culture, natural dyeing, and the environmental impact of flying. Each issue includes product reviews and classified ads. $28.75/yr. (4 issues) from Disticor Direct, Box 2165, Williamsville, NY 14231; www.permaculture.co.uk.

Home Power ("The Hands-On Journal of Home Made Power") features substantial and sometimes technical articles about sustainable electricity generation, as well as such related topics as home energy efficiency, solar hot water systems, green building materials, and efficient transportation. One recent issue featured articles on bio_fuels, water pumping in the Sahara, and lessons learned about solar power from the '80s. $22.50/yr. (6 issues) from Box 520, Ashland, OR 97520; www.homepower.com.