A Compass for Change: The Framework for Sustainability Insights from The Natural Step

SEEDs for De Pere Sustainable Development Meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs Meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

SEEDs for De Pere What do we stand for ? S ocial E cological E conomic D evelopment S S ocial E cological E conomic D evelopment S

SEEDs for De PereVisionVision An Ecologically Sustainable De Pere Generate Ecological integrity, Economic prosperity, and Social equity for De Pere An Ecologically Sustainable De Pere Generate Ecological integrity, Economic prosperity, and Social equity for De Pere Mission

SEEDs for De Pere SEEDs is: A local citizen organizationA local citizen organization A part of a growing worldwide concernA part of a growing worldwide concern Creating understandingCreating understanding Educating our neighborsEducating our neighbors Encouraging participationEncouraging participation Promoting a better communityPromoting a better community A 501(c)3 charitable organizationA 501(c)3 charitable organization as part of the De Pere Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Inc. A local citizen organizationA local citizen organization A part of a growing worldwide concernA part of a growing worldwide concern Creating understandingCreating understanding Educating our neighborsEducating our neighbors Encouraging participationEncouraging participation Promoting a better communityPromoting a better community A 501(c)3 charitable organizationA 501(c)3 charitable organization as part of the De Pere Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Inc.

SEEDs for De Pere Areas of Focus Government & Community – Eco-municipality – Raise awareness – Educate others – Tools for decision Government & Community – Eco-municipality – Raise awareness – Educate others – Tools for decision

SEEDs for De Pere Actions to Produce Outcomes Education & EngagementEducation & Engagement Involvement & OwnershipInvolvement & Ownership ResponsibilityResponsibility It is about youIt is about you –Consumers = Consumption Education & EngagementEducation & Engagement Involvement & OwnershipInvolvement & Ownership ResponsibilityResponsibility It is about youIt is about you –Consumers = Consumption

SEEDs for De Pere Systems Approach We will facilitate a systems approach to create contacts, relationships, and links between different assets and people across all sectors to create a holistic approach to sustainable development

SEEDs for De Pere Ecological Thinking Aldo LeopoldAldo Leopold –A Sand County Almanac, 1949 –Conservation Land Ethic Rachel CarsonRachel Carson –Silent Spring, 1962 –Dangers of persistent chemicals Aldo LeopoldAldo Leopold –A Sand County Almanac, 1949 –Conservation Land Ethic Rachel CarsonRachel Carson –Silent Spring, 1962 –Dangers of persistent chemicals

SEEDs for De Pere Problematic Examples I Love Canal New York, 1978Love Canal New York, 1978 Bhophal India, 1984Bhophal India, 1984 Chernobyl Russia, 1986Chernobyl Russia, 1986 Exxon Valdez, 1989Exxon Valdez, 1989 AutomobileAutomobile Love Canal New York, 1978Love Canal New York, 1978 Bhophal India, 1984Bhophal India, 1984 Chernobyl Russia, 1986Chernobyl Russia, 1986 Exxon Valdez, 1989Exxon Valdez, 1989 AutomobileAutomobile

SEEDs for De Pere Global WarmingGlobal Warming LocallyLocally – PCBs in Fox River – Poor air quality in summer Global WarmingGlobal Warming LocallyLocally – PCBs in Fox River – Poor air quality in summer Problematic Examples II

SEEDs for De Pere Systems View of Sustainability Environment Society Economy

SEEDs for De Pere The Big Picture Funnel of Converging Trends Natural systems are deteriorating & the rate is increasing Population & Consumption are rising exponentially Declining potential Increasing demand

SEEDs for De Pere Description of the Natural Step Changing the way we do things Changing the way we do things Moving away from harming the earth & inhabitants Moving away from harming the earth & inhabitants Provides a framework for sustainability planning Provides a framework for sustainability planningCombining:  Science based understanding  Tested planning approach Translate that combined understanding into Translate that combined understanding into standard practice for actions Changing the way we do things Changing the way we do things Moving away from harming the earth & inhabitants Moving away from harming the earth & inhabitants Provides a framework for sustainability planning Provides a framework for sustainability planningCombining:  Science based understanding  Tested planning approach Translate that combined understanding into Translate that combined understanding into standard practice for actions

SEEDs for De Pere Why a Framework Agreement on meaningsAgreement on meanings Understanding & CaringUnderstanding & Caring ConflictsConflicts Initiatives create more problemsInitiatives create more problems Community team approach prevents chaosCommunity team approach prevents chaos Shared VisionShared Vision Agreement on meaningsAgreement on meanings Understanding & CaringUnderstanding & Caring ConflictsConflicts Initiatives create more problemsInitiatives create more problems Community team approach prevents chaosCommunity team approach prevents chaos Shared VisionShared Vision

SEEDs for De Pere Natural Step Background Order from ChaosOrder from Chaos Open dialogue led to 4 PrinciplesOpen dialogue led to 4 Principles EducationEducation Order from ChaosOrder from Chaos Open dialogue led to 4 PrinciplesOpen dialogue led to 4 Principles EducationEducation

SEEDs for De Pere Principles - Conditions - Objectives Find fundamental principles of indisputable relevance and thereafter ask the advice of others on how to apply them - Dr Karl-Henrick Robèrt Fundamental principles 4 System Conditions 4 Guiding Objectives Fundamental principles 4 System Conditions 4 Guiding Objectives

SEEDs for De Pere System Conditions Extraction Accumulation Degradation Social Equity Adapted from ACSI

SEEDs for De Pere System Condition 1 In the sustainable society, nature is not subject to systematically increasing concentrations of substances extracted from the earth’s crust * what we take from the earth * In the sustainable society, nature is not subject to systematically increasing concentrations of substances extracted from the earth’s crust * what we take from the earth *

SEEDs for De Pere Guiding Objective 1 Eliminate our community’s contribution to fossil fuel dependence and to wasteful use of scarce metals and minerals

SEEDs for De Pere System Condition 2 In the sustainable society, nature is not subject to systematically increasing concentrations of substances produced by society * what we make * In the sustainable society, nature is not subject to systematically increasing concentrations of substances produced by society * what we make *

SEEDs for De Pere Guiding Objective 2 Eliminate our community’s contribution to dependence upon persistent chemicals and wasteful use of synthetic substances

SEEDs for De Pere System Condition 3 In the sustainable society, nature is not subject to systematically increasing degradation by physical means * What we do to the earth * In the sustainable society, nature is not subject to systematically increasing degradation by physical means * What we do to the earth *

SEEDs for De Pere Guiding Objective 3 Eliminate our community’s contribution to encroachment upon nature: -Land-Water-Wildlife -Forests-Soil-Ecosystems Eliminate our community’s contribution to encroachment upon nature: -Land-Water-Wildlife -Forests-Soil-Ecosystems

SEEDs for De Pere System Condition 4 In the sustainable society, people are not subject to conditions that systematically undermine their capacity to meet their needs * How we meet human needs * In the sustainable society, people are not subject to conditions that systematically undermine their capacity to meet their needs * How we meet human needs *

SEEDs for De Pere Guiding Objective 4 Meet human needs fairly & efficiently

SEEDs for De Pere Planning by Objectives Applying all 4 Objectives simultaneously: Creates practices that can be relied upon to truly move toward sustainabilityCreates practices that can be relied upon to truly move toward sustainability Generates action plans & strategies that assure a systems approachGenerates action plans & strategies that assure a systems approach Provides a compass for changeProvides a compass for change Applying all 4 Objectives simultaneously: Creates practices that can be relied upon to truly move toward sustainabilityCreates practices that can be relied upon to truly move toward sustainability Generates action plans & strategies that assure a systems approachGenerates action plans & strategies that assure a systems approach Provides a compass for changeProvides a compass for change

SEEDs for De Pere Tree of Municipalities Complex systems need treatment at root causes of unsustainable practices

SEEDs for De Pere Leveling Out the Funnel The compass reorients human actions

SEEDs for De Pere Planning Methodology for Action Backcasting Envision the most successful outcome Envision the most successful outcome Link to current circumstances Link to current circumstances “What shall we do to get there” “What shall we do to get there” Use System Conditions to assess success Use System Conditions to assess success Envision the most successful outcome Envision the most successful outcome Link to current circumstances Link to current circumstances “What shall we do to get there” “What shall we do to get there” Use System Conditions to assess success Use System Conditions to assess success

SEEDs for De Pere Planning Methodology for Action ABCD Process Systematic guide for thinking & action Systematic guide for thinking & action Links shared vision of the Guiding Principles with practical actions Links shared vision of the Guiding Principles with practical actions Systematic guide for thinking & action Systematic guide for thinking & action Links shared vision of the Guiding Principles with practical actions Links shared vision of the Guiding Principles with practical actions

SEEDs for De Pere ABCD Process A - Awareness Understanding sustainability & the Natural Step Framework as a shared mental model Understanding sustainability & the Natural Step Framework as a shared mental model Realize specific unsustainable conditions Realize specific unsustainable conditions Willingness to join the cause by understanding necessity & benefits of action Willingness to join the cause by understanding necessity & benefits of action Understanding sustainability & the Natural Step Framework as a shared mental model Understanding sustainability & the Natural Step Framework as a shared mental model Realize specific unsustainable conditions Realize specific unsustainable conditions Willingness to join the cause by understanding necessity & benefits of action Willingness to join the cause by understanding necessity & benefits of action

SEEDs for De Pere ABCD Process B - Baseline Mapping An assessment of “today”An assessment of “today” List & scrutinize all current flows and practices that are contributing to violations of the four System ConditionsList & scrutinize all current flows and practices that are contributing to violations of the four System Conditions Consider existing assets that are in place to deal with the problems effectivelyConsider existing assets that are in place to deal with the problems effectively An assessment of “today”An assessment of “today” List & scrutinize all current flows and practices that are contributing to violations of the four System ConditionsList & scrutinize all current flows and practices that are contributing to violations of the four System Conditions Consider existing assets that are in place to deal with the problems effectivelyConsider existing assets that are in place to deal with the problems effectively

SEEDs for De Pere ABCD Process C - Compelling Vision Imagine the future sustainable society within the System ConditionsImagine the future sustainable society within the System Conditions Brainstorm, generate & list possible solutions and innovations by applying the constraints of the System ConditionsBrainstorm, generate & list possible solutions and innovations by applying the constraints of the System Conditions Trigger creativity & scrutinize suggested solutionsTrigger creativity & scrutinize suggested solutions “Where are we now, where will be in the future”“Where are we now, where will be in the future” Use of BackcastingUse of Backcasting Imagine the future sustainable society within the System ConditionsImagine the future sustainable society within the System Conditions Brainstorm, generate & list possible solutions and innovations by applying the constraints of the System ConditionsBrainstorm, generate & list possible solutions and innovations by applying the constraints of the System Conditions Trigger creativity & scrutinize suggested solutionsTrigger creativity & scrutinize suggested solutions “Where are we now, where will be in the future”“Where are we now, where will be in the future” Use of BackcastingUse of Backcasting

SEEDs for De Pere ABCD Process D - Down to Action Create an action planCreate an action plan Priorities from the prior Compelling Vision list are madePriorities from the prior Compelling Vision list are made Smart early moves & concrete programs for change are launchedSmart early moves & concrete programs for change are launched Innovative actions are prioritized by screening with the following ?’s:Innovative actions are prioritized by screening with the following ?’s: Does the action: move us in the direction of all four System Conditions move us in the direction of all four System Conditions create a flexible platform, i.e. a stepping stone toward future improvements or a blind alley create a flexible platform, i.e. a stepping stone toward future improvements or a blind alley provide a good return on investment to seed future investments provide a good return on investment to seed future investments Investment analysis must include social and environmental costs & benefits as well as economic ones Create an action planCreate an action plan Priorities from the prior Compelling Vision list are madePriorities from the prior Compelling Vision list are made Smart early moves & concrete programs for change are launchedSmart early moves & concrete programs for change are launched Innovative actions are prioritized by screening with the following ?’s:Innovative actions are prioritized by screening with the following ?’s: Does the action: move us in the direction of all four System Conditions move us in the direction of all four System Conditions create a flexible platform, i.e. a stepping stone toward future improvements or a blind alley create a flexible platform, i.e. a stepping stone toward future improvements or a blind alley provide a good return on investment to seed future investments provide a good return on investment to seed future investments Investment analysis must include social and environmental costs & benefits as well as economic ones

SEEDs for De Pere Review of Sustainability (1) Definition Meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs Definition

SEEDs for De Pere Review of Sustainability (2) Four Guiding Objectives 1) Reduce wasteful dependence upon fossil fuels, underground metals & minerals 2) Reduce wasteful dependence upon chemical & unnatural substances 3) Reduce encroachment upon nature 4) Meet human needs fairly & efficiently Four Guiding Objectives 1) Reduce wasteful dependence upon fossil fuels, underground metals & minerals 2) Reduce wasteful dependence upon chemical & unnatural substances 3) Reduce encroachment upon nature 4) Meet human needs fairly & efficiently

SEEDs for De Pere Review of Sustainability (3) Apply the 4 Objectives & ABCD process to action plans Sustainable supply Sustainable demand Guiding Objectives A-B-C-D

SEEDs for De Pere DiscussionDiscussion Does recycling meet the 4 Guiding Objectives ? Does recycling meet the 4 Guiding Objectives ?

SEEDs for De Pere Review of Sustainability (2) Four Guiding Objectives 1) Reduce wasteful dependence upon fossil fuels, underground metals & minerals 2) Reduce wasteful dependence upon chemical & unnatural substances 3) Reduce encroachment upon nature 4) Meet human needs fairly & efficiently Four Guiding Objectives 1) Reduce wasteful dependence upon fossil fuels, underground metals & minerals 2) Reduce wasteful dependence upon chemical & unnatural substances 3) Reduce encroachment upon nature 4) Meet human needs fairly & efficiently

SEEDs for De Pere DiscussionDiscussion Does Ethanol meet the 4 Guiding Objectives ? Does Ethanol meet the 4 Guiding Objectives ?

SEEDs for De Pere Review of Sustainability (2) Four Guiding Objectives 1) Reduce wasteful dependence upon fossil fuels, underground metals & minerals 2) Reduce wasteful dependence upon chemical & unnatural substances 3) Reduce encroachment upon nature 4) Meet human needs fairly & efficiently Four Guiding Objectives 1) Reduce wasteful dependence upon fossil fuels, underground metals & minerals 2) Reduce wasteful dependence upon chemical & unnatural substances 3) Reduce encroachment upon nature 4) Meet human needs fairly & efficiently