Transcript Natural Step Sustainability Principles in Whistler

The Natural Step
Presentation by: Dan Wilson
Whistler 2020
THE RESORT MUNICIPALITY OF WHISTLER
Why Sustainability?
If today’s entire world
population enjoyed the
same consumer
lifestyles as North
Americans, it would take
four additional planets
to accommodate
everyone sustainably.
Problem: Good Planets are
hard to find…
THE RESORT MUNICIPALITY OF WHISTLER
Confused about Sustainability?
Smart Growth
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A Systems Approach
Sustainability requires planning in complex systems
Level 1: The Eco-Sphere
Eco-sphere (System)
Level 2: Principles of Sustainability
(Success)
Level 3 Principles of Sustainable
Development (Strategies)
Level 4: Actions
Level 5: Tools and Metrics
Level 1
The Natural Step builds on a
science-based understanding of
society within nature
Level 2
Four sustainability principles
connect the vision of sustainability
with the realm of effective action
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What can we agree on?
Open System
with respect to
energy
“Photosynthesis
pays the bills”
Slow
geological
cycles materials from
the Earth’s
crust
Closed System
with respect to
matter
1) Nothing disappears
2) Everything disperses
Sustainability is
about the ability of
these cycles to run
forever.
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How do we influence the cycles?
3
4
Physically
inhibit ability of
nature to run
cycles
Relatively large
flows of
materials from
the Earth’s crust
Barriers to people
meeting their basic
needs worldwide
1
2
Introduce
persistent
compounds
foreign to
nature
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Natural Step System
Conditions
A sustainable society does not:
Mine and disperse materials at a faster rate than they can be
redeposited into the Earth’s crust;
Produce substances and disperse them faster than they can be
broken down by natural processes; if they can be broken down
at all;
Deplete or degrade resources at a faster rate than they are
replenished (over-harvesting trees or fish) or by other forms of
ecosystem manipulation (paving over fertile land or causing
soil erosion);
Create conditions that increasingly undermines peoples
capacity to meet their needs.
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System Condition 1
Inefficient Use
Dissipative Use
Scarce metals
Fossil Fuels
Efficient Use
Tight Technical Cycles
Abundant metals
Renewables Sequestration
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