In an era of decreased budgets at every level of government the disasters caused by storms like Super Storm Sandy present us real problems. They also are causing us to be creative and to form unique partnerships. While building hard infrastructure is expensive and time consuming, partnering with nature and allowing the re-establishment of buffering wetlands may be more cost and outcome effective. Our choices may have more to do with habit than rationality.

In nature and in permaculture, everything has needs and products. Any needs not provided by the system must be provided by us, and that is work we have to do. Any products not used by the system are wasted and hence are pollution.