System Conditions from The Natural Step, extracted from Karl Ostrom‘s Ecological Footprint PowerPoint.
- Substances from the Earth’s crust must not systematically increase in the biosphere
This means: fossil fuels, metals and other minerals must not be extracted at a faster rate than their redeposit and regeneration in the Earth’s crust.
- Substances produced by society must not systematically increase in nature
This means: substances must not be produced faster than they can be broken down and be reintegrated into the cycles of nature or be deposited in the Earth’s crust - The physical basis for the productivity and diversity of nature must not be systematically deteriorated.
This means: the productive surfaces of nature must not be diminished in quality or quantity, and we must not harvest more from nature than can be recreated or renewed. - There needs to be fair and efficient use of resources with respect to meeting human needs.
This means: basic human needs must be met with the most resource efficient methods possible, including equitable resource distribution.
