The Permaculture Transition Manual - by Ross Mars (Paperback)

About the Book

The complete permaculture skills guide to thriving during the great transition to a fossil fuel-free world. Packed with information on permaculture design principles, nutrient-dense food growing and forest gardening, soil building, ecological land management, animal husbandry, home-scale energy generation and water efficiency

Book Synopsis

Harness the power of permaculture to thrive, not just survive, the great transition from fossil fuels

Caught between climate change and a fossil fuel-driven economy that demands ever more growth, the world faces a great transition--by design or disaster--away from fossil fuels to an alternative renewable energy future.

But what proven tools are available to aid in making a successful, deliberate transition to resilient and sustainable living?

For the first time, the power of permaculture design has been brought to bear on the great transition problem. In the process, acclaimed permaculture teacher and designer Ross Mars has distilled his considerable knowledge into the ultimate permaculture resource for resilient and sustainable living.

The Permaculture Transition Manual is packed with information on permaculture design principles, gardening, soil building, nutrient-dense food growing, including top plant and tree selections for all climatic zones. Coverage extends to rainwater harvesting and irrigation, human waste management, and strategies for rural properties plus a unique focus on applying permaculture to small urban spaces for decluttering and efficient food growing. Also covered are hand tools, food preservation, alternative renewable energy production, low-carbon housing, and a plethora of nearly forgotten and cozy skills such as soap making, basket weaving, seed saving, rope and candle making, and more.

On the desert island of a world in decline this is the one-stop guide to vibrant, resilient and sustainable living you'll want to take with you.

Ross Mars is a scientist with a PhD in Environmental Science, entrepreneur and highly-regarded permaculture teacher and designer. Author of The Basics of Permaculture Design , he manages Candlelight Farm, a permaculture demonstration site and training center in Western Australia.

From the Back Cover

Harness the power of permaculture to thrive, not just survive, the great transition from fossil fuels.

This is the book I would want on a deserted island as a survival guide. It is a great resource for any community or individual looking to create a better future.
-- HANNAH APRICOT ECKBERG, Editor, Permaculture Magazine , North America

CAUGHT BETWEEN climate change and a fossil fuel-driven economy that demands ever more growth, the world faces a great transition--by design or disaster--away from fossil fuels to a less energy-intensive future. But what proven tools are available to aid in making a successful, deliberate transition to a resilient, sustainable future?

For the first time, the power of permaculture design has been brought to bear on the great transition problem. In the process, acclaimed permaculture teacher and designer Ross Mars has distilled his considerable knowledge into the ultimate resource for resilient living.

The Permaculture Transition Manual is packed with information on permaculture design principles, soil building, nutrient-dense food growing, including top plant and tree selections for all climatic zones.

Coverage extends to rainwater harvesting and irrigation, human waste management, and strategies for rural properties plus a unique focus on applying permaculture to small urban spaces for decluttering and efficient food growing. Also covered are hand tools, food preservation, energy production, and low-carbon housing and a plethora of nearly forgotten skills such as soap making, basket weaving, seed saving, rope and candle making, and more.

On the desert island of a world in decline this is the one-stop guide to vibrant, resilient living you'll want to take with you.

...A complete blueprint for anybody to make their rural property or suburban home more beautiful, economical, and resilient.
-- ERIK CURREN, Publisher, Transition Voice

...An excellent exploration of the permaculture design process, peppered with information on compost, graywater, alternative energy, and much more.
-- JOHN WAGES, Publisher, Permaculture Design magazine

Finally, a resource that holistically connects the dots between all the elements of permaculture!
-- LISA KIVIRIST, author, Soil Sisters: A Toolkit for Women Farmers

ROSS MARS is a scientist with a PhD in Environmental Science, an entrepreneur, and a highly regarded permaculture teacher and designer. Author of the landmark The Basics of Permaculture Design , he manages Candlelight Farm, a permaculture demonstration site and training center in Western Australia.

Review Quotes

Finally a resource that holistically connects the dots between all the elements of permaculture. The Permaculture Transition Manual reaches beyond the design and planting side and serves as an inspiring guide to craft a lifestyle rooted in permaculture principles, from cooking in the kitchen to cultivating community.

---Lisa Kivirist, author, Soil Sisters: A Toolkit for Women Farmers

Drawing on his experience as both a teacher and permaculture practitioner, Mars presents a complete blueprint for anybody to make their rural property or suburban home more beautiful, economical, and resilient. He also offers inspiring ideas to de-clutter and make the most out of smaller urban spaces.

---Erik Curren, Publisher, Transition Voice

Definitely a book for these crucial times, The Permaculture Transition Manual discusses all the steps necessary to initiate positive change. Ross Mars covers all the bases - both new converts and readers already conversant with permaculture will find suggestions to complement and facilitate their journey towards a more sustainable existence. The writer's scientific background does not prevent him from keeping the information accessible to all with point by point analysis of what's required to halt the devastating ecological freefall that's been instigated by the profligate lifestyle of today's society.

---Jenni Blackmore, author, Permaculture for the Rest of Us.

Holistic solutions rather than piecemeal fixes are required to address the many converging crises in our world. The Permaculture Transition Manual reviews the problems we face, then builds on the view from 30,000 feet with an excellent exploration of the permaculture design process, peppered with information on compost, graywater, alternative energy, and much more. Ross Mars has written an excellent introduction for the beginner!

---John Wages, Publisher, Permaculture Design Magazine

The Transition and the Permaculture movements offer road maps to a future that will not only be sustainable, but will allow people to thrive. Ross Mars is the perfect tour guide with The Permaculture Transition Manual. Offering a comprehensive and integrative approach to living that anyone can incorporate into their lives, this book offers a treasure-trove of creative practices and vital information. This is the book I would want on a desert island as a survival guide. It is a great resource for any community or individual looking to create a better future.

---Hannah Apricot Eckberg, editor, Permaculture Magazine, North America

About the Author

Ross Mars is a highly regarded permaculture teacher, designer and consultant. He is author of landmark The Basics of Permaculture Design and three other permaculture books, as well as two DVDs on energy efficient housing design and renewable energy systems. Ross manages Candlelight Farm, a permaculture demonstration site and training center in Western Australia. Over the past decade, he has delivered dozens of basic, design, advanced and diploma-level Permaculture Courses. Both a scientist with a PhD in Environmental Science and an entrepreneur, Mars also manufactures and supplies greywater and rainwater tank systems, and installs waterwise gardens and water-sensible irrigation systems.