Basic science
1. Matter and energy cannot be created or destroyed. (1st law of thermodynamics
and the principle of conservation of matter.)
2. Matter and energy tend to disperse. (2nd law of thermodynamics) This means
that sooner or later, all matter that is introduced into society will be released
out into natural systems.
3. Material quality can be characterized by the concentration and structure
of matter. We never consume energy or matter--only its quality (the degree
of order within energy and matter), purity and structure.
4. Net increase in material quality on Earth can only be produced by sun-driven
processes.
The
cyclic principle
Waste must not systematically accumulate in nature, and reconstruction of
material quality must be at least as large as its dissipation. Consequently,
all matter must be processed in cycles. The societal "metabolism"
must be integrated into the cycles of nature.
The Four Systems Conditions
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. In order to meet the previous three system conditions, 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..
Applying
the System Conditions
Does my decision:
1.
Decrease dependence on materials from the earth's crust?
2. Decrease use of compounds produced by society, that can accumulate in nature?
3. Increase productivity and biodiversity in nature?
4. Increase the efficiency and fairness with which resources are used?
To
get a copy of this, go to:
www.jaymoynihan.com/esm.html
The
above is essentially (with a few word additions) the version of "The
Natural Step", that was going around in 1993-1994. I ran into TNS
in 1993, and received some training in 1994 -1995. I have carried a tiny
version of this in my Filofax since then. Find it useful, exspecially
the four questions, when working on stuff.
I am not affiliated with The Natural Step - United States, which can be
found here .
The International
gateway site for The Natural Step is
here .
