I recall 20 years ago as a high school student, lamblasting modern life in public speaking events, based on environmental evidence of the day. My ‘extremism’ certainly channelled passionate speeches and gained peoples attention (great for my narcissicus). And while I hope that it made a little dent in conciousness – for after all I was simply recirculating the information that needed to be heard, and adding deep criticism of a defunct and dangerous lifestyle – I know that any real change has been basically superficial. (Bunnings, Harvey Norman, Wars for Oil etc)

It is depressing to know that the consumerist inertia in our culture is generations in the making, and it is chilling to think that it may take generations to deprogram these settings. Changes are clearly gaining momentum, but will it make any difference with a profoundly over-populated planet? We all need to switch off perhaps 80% of modernity and tend to the most vital things we can do – feeding ourselves sanely!! Permaculture is as radical as you can get. And yet will become so normal. Transform our backyards and grow our futures locally. And support and strengthen the real development across our world… Today I am blessing the living saints who make the Seed Savers movement a reality…