Permaculture emerges as a valuable alternative to uncontrolled globalization and the growing trade war led by the United States. These factors have highlighted the vulnerability of our current economic and social model.
In times where global interdependence generates more conflicts than benefits, permaculture proposes a return to balance. It strengthens local economies, promotes food self-sufficiency and builds more resilient and sustainable communities.
Ferrer Sustainability Foundation: permaculture in action
Initiatives such as those promoted by the Ferrer Sustainability Foundation, which I had the opportunity to visit last week, demonstrate how the practical application of this philosophy can become an effective path towards a more just, balanced and environmentally responsible future.
What is permaculture?
Permaculture is a sustainable design approach. It seeks to create agricultural and social systems in harmony with nature. It is based on three ethical principles:
- Care of the earth
- Care of the people
- Fair distribution of resources
It promotes practices that favor biodiversity, self-sufficiency and community resilience. These principles translate into tangible benefits such as:
- Preservation of natural resources
- Reduction of labor and energy in agriculture
- Promotion of biodiversity
- Production of organic and healthy foods
A real impact in Barcelona
The Ferrer Sustainability Foundation, supported by Laboratorios Ferrer, works for a fairer society through social cohesion and environmental preservation.
Their projects integrate agroecology and permaculture, increasing the cultivable green areas in the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona. They also highlight the social, therapeutic, educational and integrative benefits of these practices.
Green for Good: transforming neighborhoods from the ground up
An inspiring example is the “Green for Good” project. It seeks to generate a positive impact through social urban gardening. In one of their “miracles”, they transformed a former landfill in a working class neighborhood in Barcelona into an orchard.
The neighbors tend their urban garden. They get free healthy food and transform their environment. They even encourage citizen collaboration. (I would have liked to have had something like that in the open field in front of my house in Guinardó, instead of that filthy plot…).
Laboratorios Ferrer: social responsibility in earnest
Laboratorios Ferrer’s support to the foundation reflects a genuine and activist commitment to social responsibility. Far removed from the typical symbolic actions of many companies.
In the last three years, Ferrer has allocated more than 50% of its net profits to social and environmental projects. This approach demonstrates that its activity goes beyond the pharmaceutical sector. It seeks a real impact on society.
Recognition and leadership
This synergy strengthens Laboratorios Ferrer’s reputation as a company committed to sustainability. It also strengthens its bond with employees and the market. The good results that the company is obtaining are not surprising.
In addition, by aligning its corporate objectives with social needs, it has achieved recognitions such as the highest B-Corp score for a laboratory worldwide.
Permaculture offers sustainable and equitable solutions to today’s challenges. The work of the Ferrer Sustainability Foundation, supported by Laboratorios Ferrer, shows that companies can be agents of real change. A change that benefits both the environment and the community.