Start with localising your buying - local food, local products ... and supporting people who are artisan producers online. Read (David Holgrem's book Permaculture Principles and Pathways is great for social whole system permaculture - very deep philosophical reading though and might not be the best place to start - he has short downloadable docs outlining his concepts on his website) Learn to grow some of your food. Learn to take responsibility for your life - health, education etc - rather than relying on government to do it for you. Meet some local permaculturalists and share ideas .... Just pick a point to start and your half way there because it is the starting that is first step :)
Permaculture is a way of life ... that saying - what is it - one mountain many paths ....... just start :)