Transcript System Condition 1

The Eco-Municipality Model for
Sustainable Community Change:
Chequamegon Bay
“Making Connections”
ProWalk/Pro Bike 2006
Madison WI
September 6, 2006
What is an “eco-municipality”?
 aspires to develop an ecologically,
economically, and socially healthy
community for the long term
 using the Natural Step framework for
sustainability as a guide
 and a democratic, highly participative
development process as the method.
Source: “Eco-municipality Synopsis.” n.d.
View of Community as Three Unconnected
Circles: “Silos” View
Economy
Environment
Society
View of Community As Three Interconnected
Circles: “Linkages” View
Economy
Environment
Society
View of Community as Three
Concentric Circles: “Systems” View
Economy
Society
Environment
What is different about this
model?
The eco-municipality model uses a systems
approach. Key ingredients are widespread
community awareness-raising and integrated
community involvement, using a common
“sustainability language” based upon the
Natural Step framework.
Source: “Eco-municipality Synopsis.” n.d.
The Natural Step
To develop and share a common
framework comprised of easilyunderstood, scientifically-based
principles that can serve as a
compass to guide society toward
a just and sustainable future.
Australia
Brazil
Canada
Israel
Japan
New Zealand
South Africa
Sweden
United Kingdom
Find fundamental principles of
indisputable relevance, and
thereafter ask the advice of
others on how to apply them.
Dr. Karl-Henrik Robèrt
The Funnel of Converging Trends
Deteriorating Living Systems
Ecosystems
Forests
Water
Wildlife
Soil
Closing
margin
for action
Source: Sarah James and Tjorborn Lahti, The
Natural Step for Communities. Based on work by
Karl-Henrik Robert and others.
Population & Consumption
The Four System Conditions
for Sustainability
In the sustainable society, nature is not subject
to systematically increasing…
1. concentrations of substances extracted
from the Earth’s crust;
2. concentrations of substances produced by
society;
3. degradation by physical means;
and, in that society,
4. human needs are met worldwide.
System Condition 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.
• Ties into the First Law of Thermodynamics
• Total mass and energy in the universe is conserved
• For example, the burning of fossil fuels simply creates
gases in the atmosphere
1. Use planning
approaches that reduce
dependence on fossil
fuels, underground
metals, minerals.
System Condition 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.
• Based on the Second Law of Thermodynamics (the Law
of Entropy)
• Energy and matter tend to spread spontaneously and
everything has a tendency to disperse -- bioaccumulation
• Examples range from mercury and lead poisoning to
water pollution and toxic waste
2.
Use planning approaches that reduce dependence
upon chemicals and unnatural substances.
System Condition 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.
• Maintaining the integrity of ecosystems, including
biodiversity, is underscored
• The need to value the functions of living systems, such
as water and air purification, pollination and climate
regulation
• Calls for “systems thinking” approach to resource
management and biological conservation
3. Use planning approaches that
reduce encroachment upon nature.
Ecosystem Services
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Oxygen production
Purification of water and air
Supply of drinking water
Protection against cosmic and ultraviolet
radiation
Solar energy
Regulation of local and global climate
Maintenance of wildlife migration and
habitats
Storage, detoxification and recycling of
human waste
System Condition 4
In order for a society to be sustainable,
resources are used fairly and efficiently to
meet basic human needs globally.
• Speaks to the issue of equity
• Provides an essential ethical aspect to the Natural Step
• “Essential for social stability and the cooperation needed
for making large-scale changes within the framework laid
out by the first three conditions”
4. Use planning approaches that meet
human needs fairly and efficiently.
Planning for Sustainability
Policy Guide
Adopted April, 2000
Planning for Sustainability
Policy Guide
Develop Policies and Practices that Ultimately:
1. Eliminate our community’s contribution to
fossil fuel dependence and to wasteful use
of scarce metals and minerals.
2. Eliminate our community’s contribution to
dependence upon persistent chemicals and
wasteful use of synthetic substances.
3. Eliminate our community’s contribution to
encroachment upon nature (e.g., land,
water, wildlife, forests, soil, ecosystems).
4. Meet human needs fairly and efficiently.
Source: Based on the American Planning Association’s Planning for Sustainability Policy Guide, 2000.
Swedish
Ecomunicipalities
Eco-Municipality Steps to
Success







Finding the Fire Souls
Education: raising awareness
Official endorsement
Involving the implementers
Applying the “Compass” process
Whole plan endorsement
Keeping it going
(institutionalization)
•Source: The Natural Step for Communities; Sarah James and Tjorborn Lahti, 2004
The Compass
•
•
•
•
•
•
Develop awareness
Assess current situation
Envision future
Backcast to present
Act, develop goals, do
Build partnerships
Chequamegon Bay
Ecomunicipality Development
2004-2006
Wisconsin Idea Seminar
May 2002
Attend Eco-municipality
Workshop, May 2004
Study Tour to Sweden
Local presentations to
over 600 people
200 participated
13 co-sponsors
3
_________________________________
___________________________________
_________________________________
___________________________________
_________________________________
___________________________________
4
List 3 actions that could be taken in the region to reduce dependence upon fossil fuels.
1
___________________________________
_________________________________
___________________________________
_________________________________
___________________________________
_________________________________
_____________________ ______________________
_____________________ ______________________
System Condition 2
VISION 2030
In the year 2030 the Lake Superior Watershed is sustainable.
This means that society is working within the three first systems
conditions, while satisfying human needs.
Put an * next to actions that meet all 4 Scs.
List 3 actions that could be taken in the region to reduce
dependence upon synthetic chemicals & other unnatural
substances.
System Condition 3
_____________________
System Condition 1
_____________________ ______________________
List 3 actions that could be taken in the region to reduce encroachment upon nature (land, water,
wildlife, forests, soils, etc.)
____________________
_____________________
System Condition 4
____________________
_____________________
List 3 actions that could be taken in the region to better
meet human needs fairly & efficiently.
____________________
VISION 2030
In the year 2030 the Lake Superior Watershed is sustainable.
This means that society is working within the three first systems
conditions, while satisfying human needs.
Sustainable Chequamegon
Sustainable
Chequamegon
Center
•
•
•
•
•
Project development
Networking
Share skills
Find suppliers, markets
Support projects
2005 Pie and Politics
450 in attendance
2006 Pie and Politics
Rocky Anderson, Mayor
Salt Lake City
“Climate Change and How Municipalities
Can Respond”
US Mayors Climate Change
Protection Agreement
Eco-Municipality Resolutions
Adopted
City of Washburn ~ July 2005
City of Ashland ~ August 2005
City of Madison ~ December 2005
Washburn City Council and staff with Torbjorn
Lahti, summer 2005.
Douglas Co. ~ May 2006
City of Duluth ~ May 2006
Study Circles
Alliance for Sustainability
9 circles: 3 in Ashland
3 in Washburn
2 in Bayfield
1 on Madeleine
80 participants
North American EcoMunicipality Network
City of Washburn
City of Ashland
City of Madison
Portsmouth NH
Lawrence NJ
Vandergrift PA
Tufts University
Sustainable Pittsburgh
Whistler BC
The Natural Step, Canada
Sustain Dane
University of Wisconsin-Extension
Sustainability Toolkit for Governments
• Sherrie Gruder, SHWEC, UW-Madison
• Anna Haines, CLUE, UW-Stevens Point
• Jerry Hembd, NCCED, UW-Superior
• Mary Kluz, CNRED, Marathon County
• Lisa McKinnon, 1000 Friends of Wisconsin
• Jane Silberstein, CNRED, Ashland County
Elkhorn Existing Facilities
Synergies
• A new waste handling
company is starting
up based on our site.
What they are now
landfilling will become
feedstock for us in the
near future.
3D Model of Elkhorn Facilities Expansion
Proposed EID Features
Bioenergy Options
Hydrolysis
Acids, enzymes
Gasification
Feedstock
production,
collection,
handling &
preparation
High heat, low
oxygen
Digestion
Sugars and
Lignin
Synthesis
Gas
Bio-gas
Fuels &
Chemicals
Electricity
Bacteria
Pyrolysis
Catalysis, heat,
pressure
Extraction
Mechanical,
chemical
Separation
Mechanical,
chemical
Bio-Oil
Bio-based
materials
Heat
Carbon-Rich
Chains
Plant
Products
Biodiesel
Sustainable Chequamegon
What’s Next?
• Organizational structure and funding
• Projects galore
• Trip(s) to Sweden
• On-going education and training
• On-going Study Circles
• Office/headquarters
JANE SILBERSTEIN
Community, Natural Resource and Economic
Development Educator
University of Wisconsin-Extension
Ashland County
www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/ashland