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About UsRed Cedar Sustainable

Communities (RCSC),

is an organization of

people living in the

watershed of the Red

Cedar River in northwest

Wisconsin. We are

dedicated to developing

and preserving our cities,

towns, villages and rural

areas in a sustainable

way using the Natural

Step Framework to

guide our decision-

making.

The Natural Step (TNS)

Frameworkis a proven,science-based model that helps

communities and businesses

better understand and integrate

environmental, social, andeconomic considerations.

The Natural Steps

Four System Conditions

1. In order for a society to be sus-

tainable, natures functions and

diversity are not systematically

subject to increasing concentra-

tions of substances extracted from

the earths crust.

In a sustainable society, human

activities such as the burning of

fossil fuels, and the mining met-

als and minerals, will not occur at

a rate that causes them to system-

atically increase in the ecosphere.

There are thresholds beyond which

living organisms and ecosystems

are adversely affected by increases in

substances from the earths of crust.

Problems may include an increase in

greenhouse gases leading to global

warming, contamination of surface

and ground water, and metal toxicity

which can cause functional distur-

bances in animals. In practical terms,

the frst condition requires society to

implement comprehensive metal and

mineral recycling programs and to

decrease economic dependence on

fossil fuels.

2. In order for a society to be sus-

tainable, natures functions and di-

versity are not systematically subjectto increasing concentrations of sub-

stances produced by society.

In a sustainable society, humans

will avoid generating systematic in-

creases in persistent substances such

as DDT, PCBs, and freon. Synthetic

organic compounds such as DDT and

PCBs can remain in the environment

for many years, bio-accumulating inthe tissue of organisms and causing

profound deleterious effects on pred-

ators in the upper levels of the food

chain. Freon, and other ozone deplet-

ing compounds, may increase risk

of cancer due to added UV radiation

in the troposphere. Society needs to

fnd ways to reduce economic de-

pendence on persistent human-made

substances.

3. In order for a society to be sustain-

able, natures functions and diversity

are not systematically impoverished

by physical displacement, over-har-

vesting, or other forms of ecosystem

manipulation.

In a sustainable society, humans will

avoid taking more from the bi

sphere than can be replenish

by natural systems. In additi

people will avoid systematica

encroaching upon nature by d

stroying the habitat of other sp

cies. Biodiversity, which includ

the great variety of animals a

plants found in nature, provid

the foundation for ecosystem se

vices which are necessary to su

tain life on this planet. Society

health and prosperity depends

the enduring capacity of nature

renew itself and rebuild waste in

resources.

4. In a sustainable society, peop

are not subject to conditions th

systematically undermine their c

pacity to meet their needs.

All human beings have intrins

needs. The goal of the social sy

tem is to provide the opportun

for all to meet those needs, as

precondition to a dignifed wof life for everyone. What w

do and how we do it matte

To make decisions which take

toward this goal, in considerati

of any policy, product, marketi

or investment, we should alwa

identify in advance the people w

are going to be affected, taking t

widest possible systems view. W

should ask ourselves: Would w

like to be subjected to the cond

tions we create? In addition, t

manner in which we make the

decisions should allow for parti

pation, be transparent, hold acto

accountable and be honest.

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