The Natural Step (TNS) movement was first introduced in 1989 by Dr. Karl-Henrik Robert, a Swedish oncologist, and Dr John Holmberg, a physicist. It was used in every school in Stockholm, Sweden as a way to sustain life on the planet. Today, The Natural Step has offices in eleven countries around the world, including the United States.
The Natural Step Framework has a scientific foundation and is based on systems thinking. This is where one part of the system affects every other part. The systems approach ensures that the root causes of un-sustainability is the focus, rather than dealing only with the symptoms. The scientific part of the guiding sustainability principles is based on the laws of thermodynamics and natural cycles.
There is a five level framework that The Natural Step introduces for a clear vision towards sustainability. The first step is to have a concise understanding of how the biosphere works. This is called the systems level and at its base is the idea that we are currently operating in a “funnel”. A metaphor that is used to visualize the economic, social and environmental pressures that are growing on society as natural resources and ecosystem services diminish and the population’s number and consumption grows[1]. The walls of the funnel are the increasing pressure on society. These pressures include a growing demand for resources and the declining capacity of the earth to provide those, stricter governmental laws and consumer pressure, and the social tensions surfacing from abuses of power and inequality.
The success level is next in the framework. The end goal is for sustainability. According to The Natural Step, sustainability means that nature is not subject to systematic increases in concentrations of substances from the Earth’s crust, concentrations of substances produced by society, degradation by physical means, and, in that society, people are not subject to conditions that systematically undermine their capacity to meet their needs[2]. The strategic level then offers guidelines for organizations to follow in using the framework. The term backcasting is often used, where organizations focus on where they want to be in the future and use that information to create a stepping-stone guide on how to get there. The action level then defines the path in which the organization will take to get to sustainability. Lastly, the tools level offers assistance and guidance from other organizations to further implement and increase sustainability practices.
[1] Cook, D. (2009). “The Natural Step.” Retrieved November 10, 2009, from http://www.thenaturalstep.org/.
[2] Robert, K.-H. (2002). The Natural Step: Seeding a Quiet Revolution, New Society Publishers.
This approach to sustainability is fairly different than most I have encountered. It seems you have done a good job summarizing the key points about The Natural Step. Your writing seems cold, though; as if there is not any emotion behind it. Also, in your last sentence you meant to say organizations, not organization.
I thought this was a very interesting post! I thought that this piece was well organized and thought out, and there was minimal clutter according to Zinsser. I think that this 5 level framework gives a clear understanding of what it will take to create a more sustainable future. I would like to know more about your thoughts on this piece, both positive and negative aspects, and whether or not you think this framework will benefit the ultimate goal.
Overall this was a great post!
- Alexandra MacVey
[...] the movement she is promoting, showing how the principles are related to their history – The Natural Step History is a good orientation to the goals and purposes of the [...]