Hugo Verhagen Permablitz

We're gearing up for another great permablitz season with several permablitz events planned for spring.

Volunteers support each other at permablitz events to learn how to become more self-sufficient.
Many come to permablitzes because they believe ‘peak oil' will mean a future of rising food prices and that we are beginning to feel the effects of this already.

Global discoveries
Peak oil is a term that describes the total average global oil discoveries over time. Global supplies peaked in the 1990s, and we are now entering a sustained period of ‘energy descent'. Easily accessible oil supplies are dwindling and the harder it is to get stuff, the more costly it is to obtain. This means everyone on the planet needs to learn to how to become more efficient at living. For many, this will mean growing their own food because almost everything grown by the global industrial agriculture system is reliant on oil and the by-products of it.
Cultivating, planting and harvesting machinery are all reliant on oil. Insecticide and herbicide sprays are made from oil. Fertilisers are made from oil. If global oil prices rise, our food prices will follow; and this may make you feel vulnerable if you're already finding it hard to make ends meet.
If you think you might one day start growing you own food, consider it might take several years to learn how. Some gardeners say it takes a lifetime. You might like to begin learning this skill before you really need it. Attending permablitz events is a great way to learn and you'll meet many others who are on the same journey.

Be independent
Permablitz is a grassroots community movement. People are re-learning how to grow food traditionally and organically, without being dependant on non-renewable resources. It's an important role. Through permablitz events and learning about permaculture (permanent agriculture), you can learn how to grow food independent from the rising cost of oil. Information on permablitz and upcoming events can be found at www.permablitzbopnz.net