We can design everything to breath

The process of breathing, of inhaling and exhaling, is our most basic function. The rise and fall, the in and out, the up and down. Human awareness depends on this flow of life force.

We know when we breath, we inhale that which we need, and exhale that which is no longer of use. This is similar to what plants and trees do, except some would say that plants and trees are a symbiotic partner for us humans, in that they can process what we exhale, while producing oxygen, food and other human needs.

Water breaths too. Through the hydrological cycle, we know that water (the only element that can exist in 3 different states) evaporates and condensates, in and out, over and under, breathing life into landscapes as it replenishes and restores.

If you've ever visited the great lakes or an ocean, do the waves rolling in and flowing back out remind you of anything? Tides, gravity and lunar forces are all involved, but the resemblance to breathing is unmistakable.

Many are beginning to recognize the work of Masaru Emoto, and other water physicists, who tell us that water "breathes" in other ways as well. According to Emoto, water has memory, and prefers soft flowing patterns of movement, as opposed to straight, rigid, right angle plumbing and piping. This is important. What these scientists are finding is that the way water moves directly affects its molecular size, which directly effects its ability to hydrate, provide nutrients and replenish living systems. Water that can flow and breath can heal and sustain.

We are learning through advanced agro-ecology and holistic systems design that all natural environments want to breath as well. Organic matter, nutrients, minerals, and changing temperatures perenially traverse the high points and low lands of our landscapes. A siphoning of elements here, for an increase in supply there. Life cycles and flows. Nature is breathing.

Our homes can breath also. How we build, fuel, supply water and food to our homes are the input (inhalation), and our mechanical systems, chimneys, septic tanks and storm sewers are the exhalation. Homes can either produce or consume energy.  Our food, water and energy choices can determine much of this flow. Is it possible for a home to be not only net zero, but regenerative? And not just in energy, but food, water,  medicine, fibers and building materials? Can we harness waste streams and transform them into feed and fuel stocks?

We will soon learn that the answer to these questions is yes, of course. 

The world is breathing. Forests and lakes and oceans and mountains are working together. This requires a bit of systems thinking and some macro pattern recognition, but we could teach it to every 3rd grader in America if we really wanted to. Somewhere and somehow, us humans fit into these patterns as they sweep and cycle across our habitats. Our job as problem solvers and designers is to integrate humanity's needs within nature's patterns of abundance. The challenge is to do so without disrupting the balance of bio-diversity.  We can create healing landscapes and dwellings that allow for nature to breath her many rhythms and meditations, while our food, energy, and water needs are met within these cycles of eco-system breathwork.

From here on out, lets remember to breath. This is ecological design, and this is permaculture.

Nathan Ayers