ABSTRACT
The USDA Southwest Climate Hub has correlated climate change with various environmental and natural disasters causing economic and insured losses in the West totaling over $5.5 billion in 2014 alone. As part of a hazard mitigation program helping communities build resilience to reduce risks related to climate change, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is actively promoting green infrastructure and natural area management, both of which directly relate to and can be enhanced by permaculture application. Permaculture is a design process mimicking the diversity, functionality and resilience of natural ecosystems. The principles and practices are drawn from traditional ecological knowledge of indigenous cultures combined with modern scientific understanding and technological innovations. Permaculture design provides a framework for helping individuals and communities develop innovative, creative and effective strategies for meeting basic needs while preparing for and mitigating the projected impacts of climate change. This chapter shares details about permaculture design and how a community permaculture movement is evolving in Moab, Utah, creating more resilience in preparation for hotter, drier climatic conditions.
