Permawalk

a Walk
a Play
a Liberation

Linn and Claudio walk on the Jakobsweg eastwards
(more about their departure the 1. of August in Elm see below)

(not only) a Walk

The Permawalk represents a hike with the smallest possible ecological footprint. It goes beyond simply walking and serves as a symbol for the ongoing journey towards a more sustainable way of life – a permaculture that harmonizes with ecosystems and the cycles of nature, ultimately benefiting all living beings.

Permawalk to Permaformance and Permaculture

By embarking on a Permawalk, our lives transform into a Permaformance. Unlike a theatrical performance with a beginning and an end, a Permaformance is a continual exploration of life’s possibilities, serving our own well-being and that of all beings.

Multiple Permaformances contribute to a Permaculture, which encompasses all forms of life, including humans, animals, and plants. As there is no existing word for this concept, we propose the term «actortjes» or «Permaformertjes.» Actortjes encompass all individuals who harness their potential to serve the well-being of all.

At the core of the Permaformance is not solely my personal happiness, but the happiness of all beings. It shifts societal focus from the dominant Gross Domestic Product (GDP) towards Gross Total Happiness (Gross National Happiness at the national level), the Common Good, or the Happy Planet Index (measuring a country’s ecological efficiency in generating well-being).

Connecting People

Many people are failing to meet the dilemma between the speed of change needed to meet climate goals and stop species extinction, and their ability to accelerate change. Through our walks, we want to bring these poles closer together. We would like to

• invite climate and environmental activists to rest so they don’t burn out
• invite conservative and sceptical people to try new ways today and not tomorrow, because every day on the old way is a missed chance to move forward
• Invite impatient people to focus on the here and now and to recognise that the way is far more fulfilling than the destination.

Hiking is one of humanity’s most natural activities, often strengthening confidence and trust. It allows us to experience the power of perseverance and the progress we can make with small, patient steps towards our goals.

more urgent than ever

The urgency of the climate and biodiversity crises reveals the failure of attempting to achieve prosperity and fulfillment solely through increased productivity. The flip side of our consumption-driven society is the exploitation of natural resources and the destruction of habitats, leading us to a state of emptiness and existential crisis in the long run.

a Play with the Plentiness of Life

The Permawalk invites YOU to play with the plentiness of your life. It shifts the focus towards embracing the abundance life offers, rather than seeking abundance through optimizing our circumstances and consumption choices. Together, we discover that letting go of expectations opens new doors and diminishes disappointments. We realize that exploitative consumption is no longer necessary. Rest assured, we can still enjoy chocolate brownies and take beach vacations when our longing is strong. However, with an open mindset to explore more sustainable alternatives, our desire for exploitative options diminishes without having to compromise. YES, it is possible to achieve contentment without sacrifice. In fact, contentment brings us additional joy in life. Suddenly, we may develop a deep fondness for plant-based brownies made from carob beans, and our craving for chocolate made from cocoa beans sourced from tropical rainforests may be satisfied only once a month. Perhaps we come across a chocolate factory where we can rescue leftovers from overproduction and enjoy them with an even clearer conscience. Or maybe we discover a mountain lake beach that is more idyllic than the Caribbean beach we would have flown to.

Liberation from the Dilemma of Sacrifice and Guilt

A shift in our inner perspective can create a profound impact. Embracing the abundance life offers automatically diminishes many of our needs that are difficult to satisfy without exploitative consumption. Why buy foreign apples when I pass by apple trees on my way to work, untouched by anyone else? What liberation it brings to be released from the dilemma of sacrifice and guilt!

Your small discoveries will inspire others, and the cumulative effect of all these small discoveries will overcome the great challenges of the climate and biodiversity crises.

3 Roots of Permawalks

1) Continuation of Martin Vosseler’s Sunwalks and the first Project of MVG

Martin walked 40,000 km (equivalent to once around the Earth) on foot
for the energy transition towards renewable energies and for a planetary ethic — a solidarity ethic among all people, respect for other beings, and responsibility for future generations (here is a compilation of all his walks). With Permawalk, we aim to continue his commitment and invite others to focus on the most urgent task of humanity through walking and playing.

Permawalk is the first project of the Martin Vosseler Society (MVG).

2) A Project of the Institute for Applied Norm Shift

Founded by the nature-loving actress and Permaformer for Gross Total Happiness, Linn Sanders, the Institute for Applied Norm Shift is an invitation to break free from the prevalent obsession with productivity. Instead, we choose to follow our instinct to find happiness in inner peace with the abundance of life. Nowhere can we apply and live this norm shift more practically than on the Permawalk.

3) A Project in the spirit of foodwaste.ch

On the Permawalk, we will ask for surplus food in stores and restaurants that does not stimulate additional consumption. In doing so, we not only save food but also open people’s eyes to the often overlooked waste.
For more information about foodwaste, see foodwaste.ch, the coordination center and competence center for reducing food waste in Switzerland, co-founded by Claudio Beretta. The organization invites people to question today’s overconsumption through the example of food and discover that less is enough, and therefore, more.

Join us at the Start!

The journey begins on August 1st in Elm (Glarus). Claudio will take guests on a visual journey to the USA and the North Cape, where he walked with Martin in 2008 and 2012. Linn will read from the «Collected Worlds of Forest Literature,» and together with everyone present, a «tiny piece of Permaformance» will emerge.
Register at sekretariat@martinvosseler.org. Spontaneous guests are also welcome if there is space available.

Start your own!

Start your own unique Permawalk, both literally and metaphorically.
Inspire many more people. Together, we walk towards a sunny future!

About us

Outlook

Permawalk is the first act of Linns «Walk in Progress» from Zurich to India.