Sustainability Homes, Communities, World HCE P.O.O.L., 2013

Overview  Introduction to The Natural Step  Small Group Discussion – applying The Natural Step at home.  Eco-municipalities in WI  Next steps

Most common definition of sustainability: "meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” From “Our Common Future”, by the Brundtland Commission, UN World Commission on the Environment and Development (1987) Chair Gro Harlem Brundtland

Living sustainably means … Living a life that is deeply satisfying, fulfilling, and appealing because it is socially, environmentally, and economically responsible. Jon Prichard and Catherine Elliott University of Maine Cooperative Extension

It is about making changes and informed choices that balance the quality of our lives with the quality of the planet for future generations. Jon Prichard and Catherine Elliott University of Maine Cooperative Extension

A Framework

TNS Canada

System Conditions in The Natural Step 1.Substances from the Earth's crust must not systematically increase in the ecosphere. Fossil fuels, metals and other minerals must not be extracted at a faster pace than their slow redeposit and reintegration into the Earth's crust. 2.Substances produced by society must not systematically increase in the biosphere. Substances must not be produced at a faster pace than they can be broken down and integration into the cycles of nature or deposited into the Earth's crust. 3.The physical basis for productivity and diversity of nature must not be systematically deteriorated. We cannot harvest or manipulate ecosystems in such a way that productive capacity and diversity systematically diminish. 4.There must be fair and efficient use of resources with respect to meeting human needs world-wide. Basic human needs must be fairly met with the most resource efficient methods possible.

THE NATURAL STEP GUIDELINES Reduce dependence on fossil fuels, extracted underground metals and minerals; Reduce dependence on chemicals and other manufactured substances that can accumulate in nature; Reduce dependence on activities that harm life-sustaining ecosystems; Meet the hierarchy of present and future human needs fairly and efficiently. Source: American Planning Association, Planning for Sustainability Policy Guide

Small Group Discussion What other frameworks do we use to make decisions? How do these compare and contrast with The Natural Step?

Practice Using the Framework

To which issues in your community could the framework be applied: immediately and easily? With the most significant impact? Practice Using the Framework

Eco-municipalities

Next Steps  Start a study circle to read The Natural Step discuss it together.

References  The Natural Step for Communities: How Cities and Towns can Change to Sustainable Practices by Sarah James and Torbjörn Lahti  Lynn Markham, UW-Extension Center for Land Use Education  Jay Moynihan, UW-Extension Shawano County  Sustain Dane  TNS Canada  Diana Hammer Tscheschlok, UW-Extension Fond du Lac County  UW-Extension Sustainability Team