The Natural Step (TNS) | Natural Capitalism | Rocky Mountain Institute | Sustainable Business and iForum

The Natural Step (TNS)

The Natural Step is a non-profit environmental education organization working to build an ecologically and economically sustainable society. TNS offers a framework that is based on science and serves as a compass for businesses, communities, academia, government entities and individuals working to redesign their activities to become more sustainable.

The Natural Step's Four System Conditions

1. IN ORDER FOR A SOCIETY TO BE SUSTAINABLE, NATURE'S FUNCTIONS AND DIVERSITY ARE NOT SYSTEMATICALLY SUBJECT TO INCREASING CONCENTRATIONS OF SUBSTANCES EXTRACTED FROM THE EARTH'S CRUST.

2. IN ORDER FOR A SOCIETY TO BE SUSTAINABLE, NATURE'S FUNCTIONS AND DIVERSITY ARE NOT SYSTEMATICALLY SUBJECT TO INCREASING CONCENTRATIONS OF SUBSTANCES PRODUCED BY SOCIETY.

3. IN ORDER FOR A SOCIETY TO BE SUSTAINABLE, NATURE'S FUNCTIONS AND DIVERSITY ARE NOT SYSTEMATICALLY IMPOVERISHED BY PHYSICAL DISPLACEMENT, OVER-HARVESTING OR OTHER FORMS OF ECOSYSTEM MANIPULATION.

4. IN A SUSTAINABLE SOCIETY RESOURCES ARE USED FAIRLY AND EFFICIENTLY IN ORDER TO MEET BASIC HUMAN NEEDS GLOBALLY.

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2000

Answers

Thanks Critt.

Wonder if there's a "Sustainable Manifesto" being developed somewhere?

Diane

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2000