“Nature is a totally efficient, self-regenerating system. IF we discover the laws that govern this system and live synergistically within them, sustainability will follow and humankind will be a success.” ~ R. Buckminster Fuller
Alan Enzo, PhD. is an ecologist and economist. He has spent most of his career working to clean up the Earth and improving the life of the average human being. Graduating from Ohio State University, he has a Ph.D. in Management and an M.B.A., specializing in Ecological Economics.Enzo is also a first-responder in Emergency Management –leading remediation projects such as oil spills, train wrecks, landfills, natural disasters, and ecological restoration projects. He is also highly-trained in Permaculture Design, and help run the International Permaculture Education Center.
As a resident of Nashville, Enzo directs a network of global Permaculture teachers and consultants, while also raising funds and promoting on-the-ground projects related to ecological restoration and ecological design.
What led you to this place in your life?
I have always been passionate about cleaning up the Earth and serving others, but working in Emergency Management and Ecological Restoration showed me that much of our problems start with bad design. I learned about Permaculture Design, Ecological Design and Ecological Economics, and found the solutions I was looking for. I now teach others how to design for themselves and others. I help clients start successful small businesses, farms, intentional communities, and cooperative ventures. I also consult with governments and private partners on ecological restoration and local economic revitalization projects.
What are your biggest challenges and obstacles?
I teach and consult in self-reliance, ecological design, and ecological economics. These topics go against the conventional ideas of globalism, constant growth, and centralized governance models. Conventional economists ignore important environmental variables and produce flawed analyses – resulting in bad design and bad political policies. The “sustainability” movement is a failure, as it has been fully-captured by banking and corporate interests. Introducing people to a systems-thinking perspective is very valuable – it helps them see past the propaganda and non-solutions being offered up by conventional actors.
How do you overcome the challenges and obstacles?
Education and Demonstration. In my view, the only ethical way forward is to revive the wisdom of our ancestors, relocalize, decentralize, and invest in self-reliance and strong local communities. Students are excited to learn that there are simple and ethical solutions to all of the problems we see in the world today. By sharing this knowledge and building more on-the-ground projects, we hope to inspire others and grow the ecological movement.
Are their any misconceptions about the importance of your work or any stigmas/dogmas?
Permaculture Design is a great design science, but it is flawed. The standard curriculum has been “watered-down” by many teachers, and some teach only topics related to organic gardening and farming. The original Permaculture Design as taught by the founders, teaches how to design all aspects of a homestead and community – including food production, water systems, aquaculture, natural forestry, animal husbandry, natural building, renewable energy systems, community governance models, income streams and home-based business models, and local economic design. Since there is no head organization that oversees instruction in Permaculture Design, students need to be careful in choosing a teacher – by looking for an organization that is “internationally-recognized”. One such organization is the International Permaculture Education Center at http://www.PermacultureEducation.org
How are they overcome?
Permaculture Design is one of the only disciplines that is “fully decentralized” by design. The founders did not want Permaculture education to be controlled by academia (as many other disciplines had been captured), or control monopolized by a few. Since there is no centralized head organization that oversees instruction in Permaculture Design, students need to be careful in choosing a teacher – by looking for an organization that is “internationally-recognized”. This is a sign that the teachers are experienced in all areas of Permaculture Design.
Was this occupation something you initially planned for in your youth?
I have always had a passion to honor and heal the Earth, and to serve others. However, attempting to produce real change through the conventional education, business, and political structures has been a disappointing experience. By learning how to design local, bottom-up, ethical systems, we can offer the world working solutions and alternatives to status-quo systems that have outlived their usefulness.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
Teaching and demonstrating what is possible with Ecological Design gives me hope for the future. By reintroducing local indigenous knowledge and combining it with the most ethical modern ways of living and doing business, we are designing the future we want to see.
What would you say to people who are considering doing what you do, or something similar?
Don’t waste your time and money on graduate degrees and conventional university training. Learn about Permaculture Design, Ecological Design, Ecological Economics, systems-thinking, re-localization, decentralization, and self-reliance. Apprentice with someone doing what you want to do. Start your own business around helping improve the Earth. Find a way to be of service to others.