Week 12 - Materials

5. The Natural Step

The Natural Step is a tool developed to assess sustainability as guidance for building materials, products and design by Dr Karl-Henrik Robert in 1980's.  These conditions may be simplified to the following:

1. In order for a society to be sustainable, nature's functions and diversity are not systematically subjected to increasing concentrations of substances extracted from the Earth's crust.  In practical terms, this includes metal/mineral recycling and a decreased economic dependence on fossil fuels.
2. In order for a society to be sustainable, nature's functions and diversity are not systematically subjected to increasing concentrations of substances produced by society.  Society needs to find ways to reduce economic dependence on human-man substances such as DDT, PCB's and other synthetic or ozone depleting compounds.
3. In order for a society to be sustainable, nature's functions and diversity are not systematically impoverished by over-harvesting or other forms of ecosystem manipulation.  In practical terms, do not deplete resources or produce waste at a rate which is faster than nature's capacity to produce resources/recycle waste.
4. In a sustainable society, resources are used fairly and efficiently in order to meet basic human needs globally.  Global fairness is essential for social stability and the cooperation needed to achieve steps 1-3.  To achieve step 4, humanity must strive to improve technical and organisational efficiency around the World and to use fewer resources, especially in affluent areas.