Is ‘scale’ a dirty word?
May 6, 2023What is meant by the word – scale?
Scale is a provocative word. If you are a citrus grower, you don’t want scale. To some, scale (as in ‘increasing the scale of a project, idea or activity’) means commodifying it for capitalism, selling out.
Scale has been co-opted as word in entrepreneur and innovation circles as the end-goal for either financial viability, market control or maximum impact.
‘Scale’ as a verb generally means either making something larger and scale can also be achieved by replicating e.g. a solution to water contamination could be done with individual use of filters or use of water treatment plants in one location or the same treatment plants across many settlements.
Permaculture principle of ‘small and slow solutions’ seems to imply the opposite to ‘scale’. The principle of ‘small and slow solutions’ must be considered in the context of systems theory (and usually systems with a complex disposition such as settlements, ecosystems). The principle recognises that every element is related and connected in ways we cannot predict as an observer of a system.
While some have taken the principle of ‘small and slow solutions’ to mean, do very little disruption at any one time, I read this principle as a caution to do the very least intervention that will likely have the most efficient impact. That is use least energy input to move a system to a different /desired state; and wait to see the response of the system. For example, if I rub off the scale on my lemon tree, it will likely recover rather than blasting it with some noxious chemical that might also kill the critters who are trying to co-exist in the tree. If I have an orchard of lemon trees with scale (a scale of scales) I would need to identify the least harmful solution for the orchard. I might choose an indirect ‘least harm’ solution like encouraging predatory insects (parasitic wasps, lacewings) into the area and observe if that action had an effect before choosing to spray an organic miticide and insecticide; or maybe I do nothing and see if the ecosystem sorts itself out.
How does scale apply in permaculture practices?
Do you accept a vision of an earth applying permaculture ethics and principles everywhere for everyone? Wouldn’t that be an ideal solution at a world scale?
Would that mean we would all doing the same thing?
No – the strategies and methods of permaculture design need to suit a local context, activity and bioregion.
I heard Mitra Ardron talk at the 2023 Australian Permaculture convergence – using his projects as an example on why we can scale our efforts in Permaculture with high impact. Intending to scale so Permaculture based projects had greater impact was a positively provocative suggestion to many in the room. I think it is worth having the discussion if you have a project going – ask ‘what if we scaled…?’ ‘how could we scale this?’ .
We can easily put false limits on what we dare to do in our permaculture projects and the questions ‘what if we scaled…’ ‘how could we scale…’ helps to hone what we are really trying to achieve and why.
The following are projects done at scale with permaculture / regenerative principles and practices and give you an idea of ‘place-(and community) based’ design. You can link more examples in the comments.
Examples
Regenesis has worked on the planning, design and execution of over 200 projects across North and South America, the Caribbean, Africa, and the Middle East.
https://regenesisgroup.com/projects/
Loess Plateau
http://eempc.org/lessons-of-the-loess-plateau/
I sometimes imagine if just one farmer had done the changes you see in the video and what impact that would have had for that community.
Barichara Regeneration Project
https://www.regeneratebarichara.org/
Water Safety
Folia Water has developed an affordable paper water filter that is sold via FMCG channels at the kiosks on street corners across the developing world. Seeking to bring access to clean water to all.
Readers’ Note: This is a post of my changing thoughts as I explore why, what and how to scale projects. Like all strategies involving systems, they have bounded applicability – use your best judgement for decisions in your situation but remember to at least dream at scale 🙂
& Citrus Management tips 🙂
Scales are small sucking insects closely related to aphids, mealy bugs and whitefly. They tend to have small, round shells and are often found along the veins of leaves and the stems of plants.
https://greenharvest.com.au/PestControlOrganic/Information/ScaleControl.html
More about Permaculture here
https://holmgren.com.au/permaculture/about-permaculture/
Permaculture Principle #9: Use Small and Slow Solutions
Make the least change for the greatest possible effect. – Bill Mollison
Small and slow systems are easier to maintain than big ones, make better use of local resources, and produce more sustainable outcomes.
– David Holmgren
[quotes not yet verified]