a creative new approach for reducing costs, improving performance and becoming environmentally and socially responsible based on consensus and systems thinking. Its purpose is to develop and share a common framework comprised of easily understood, scientifically-based principles that can serve as a compass to guide society toward a sustainable future.

Please Pre-Register by April 16: Company: $120, Community: $95. CBC, ASF and DVFOTNS discounted price: $65.
Limited scholarships available. Info/Reg: Susan Curry, 215-591-1551, e-mail: suscurry@erols.com.

So why be hopeful? Because we can create new jobs, restore our environment and promote social stability. The solutions are creative, practical and profitable.
-- Paul Hawken, Author and Founding Chair of the Natural Step-US

You will learn the Natural Step’s (TNS) creative, out-of-the-box, cost-effective and proven hands on approaches and how to apply them. Small and large businesses, communities, government agencies, academic and religious institutions, nonprofits and individuals in their homes and communities are using them to build safer, healthier environments, save money, improve performance, attract and retain employees, create jobs, get funding, gain strategic position, meet ISO 14000, eliminate regulatory burdens, build teams, address divisive issues and create positive, shared solutions, while becoming environmentally and socially responsible. It gives hope and opens up a whole new world beyond pollution prevention, waste reduction and recycling.

In only 11 years, TNS is being implemented in numerous countries and is widely used by:

• More than 70 corporations, including Home Depot, Nike, Mitsubishi Electric USA, Collins Pine, the world’s largest manufacturers of appliances (Electrolux), furniture (IKEA) and floor coverings (Interface) and Sweden’s three major supermarket chains, biggest oil company, largest hotel chain and McDonald’s.
• More than 70 municipalities, including both rural towns and urban cities like Stockholm, as well as public institutions such as the University of Texas at Houston Health Science Center.
• Hundreds of thousands of young people in schools and communities through computer networks, TV programs, and a Youth Parliament.
• Thousands of organic and conventional farmers whose TNS consensus process helped shift toward a sustainable agriculture that saved money and dramatically reduced pesticide use.
• A range of 19 professional groups, from doctors and lawyers to architects and consultants.

My mission is to transform my company into a sustainable business—one that does well by doing good--by using the principles of the Natural Step.
--Ray Anderson, CEO, Interface, Inc., world’s largest commercial floor covering manufacturer

As a scientist at Sweden’s leading cancer research institute, physician Dr. Karl Henrik Robert was concerned that increasing cancer rates, especially among young children such as those he was treating, were tied to environmental factors. He was frustrated by the lack of agreement among scientists about the cause or what to do, so he began a consensus process which resulted in 50 leading Swedish scientists agreeing on the underlying principles needed for sustainability.

This information was then shared with major corporations who recognized the need for action. They supported the sending of an audiocassette and brochure to every home and school in Sweden--4.3 million. Leading artists, musicians and scientists produced a national TV special in 1989 to launch an educational campaign and TNS as a nonprofit backed by the King of Sweden.

Economist, ecologist, and author Terry Gips is one of the first TNS-US trainers and President of Sustainability Associates, a Minneapolis environmental consulting firm. He wrote Breaking the Pesticide Habit and has served as a White House and Congressional aide, co-founder of the Sacramento Community Garden Program, President of the Alliance for Sustainability, Cargill economist, and Aveda Corporation Director of Ecological Affairs.

Agenda

This seminar introduces the public and business, government, school, and community leaders to the Natural Step and assists them in using it in their workplaces, community, and personal lives.

What is Sustainability? Summary Overview, Vision, Story and Status of TNS

Systems Thinking Participants move beyond the complexity of details to system principles and shared models and goals.

Basic Science We examine the scientific principles governing life on Earth: the laws of conservation of matter, the second law of thermodynamics, material quality and the role of green cells. We also look at evolution and natural cycles to understand the present status of the planet.

The Core of TNS: The Four Conditions for Sustainability Using these scientific principles, we examine the core of TNS, the four conditions or principles for sustainability. Particular attention is given to the powerful explanatory tools of Material Flow Theory and Basic Needs Analysis of Manfred Max-Neef, which expands TNS into an invaluable tool for addressing both social and environmental considerations.

Reality Therapy, Natural Capital, Ecological Footprint and Investing for the Future After firming up our understanding of TNS, we explore how people are fooled by the present "reality" and how to bring about a new awareness using Natural Capitalism, Ecological Footprint Analysis and the real economics of the "funnel" to understand the benefits from using the TNS principles or costs from ignoring them.

Case Studies Through slides and a video we discuss how TNS is used by communities and businesses.

Practical Application Participants meet in small groups to apply what they have learned to an actual project in their firms, community, or home in a three-part process: 1) Application of the four TNS principles to the present; 2) Visioning the project so that it meets all four principles; and 3) Backcasting or reverse engineering to determine an action plan for the first year in accomplishing the vision.

Reports, Dialogue, Questions, Evaluation and Next Steps

Saturday                           5:00 pm Closing
Tuesday                            9:45 pm Closing

Conditions for Sustainability

1. What we take from the Earth: Minerals and fossil fuels - 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 reintegration into the Earth’s crust.

2. What we make: Pesticides and toxic materials - 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 reintegrated into natural cycles.

3. What we do to the Earth: Protecting biodiversity and eco-systems - 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 and renewed.

4. How we use resources and meet basic needs - There must be just and efficient use of resources with respect to meeting the needs of all people. This means that basic human needs should be met with the most resource efficient methods possible.

Delaware Valley Friends of the Natural Step (DVFOTNS)
Our purpose is to promote sustainability within businesses and other organizations by educating others and ourselves about TNS and related practices. We share about sustainable activities in the area, discuss books, announce events, circulate videos, and create TNS events. We meet on the first Wednesday of the month, 5:45-8:30 pm. How to Contact DVFOTNS: Ralph Copleman, earthdreams@earthlink.net or Dale Hendricks: 610-255-0100 or Dale@northcreeknurseries.com.

Alliance for a Sustainable Future
are individuals and organizations committed to focusing attention on sustainability in the greater Delaware River region. We embrace The Earth Charter whose mission is to bring forth a sustainable society founded on respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice, and a culture of peace. ASF produces conferences and presentations, collaborates with community and governmental efforts, and forms task forces to address local problems and opportunities. Contact: Susan Curry at 215-591-1551; suscurry@erols.com; www.asustainablefuture.org.

Sustainability Associates
is a consulting firm working with business to achieve cost savings, improved performance, strategic advantage, and ecological and social responsibility through leading edge sustainability thinking, eco-auditing, marketing, capital formation, policy and training. For further information, call Terry Gips at 612-374-4765, fax 612-377-6019, email: tgips@mtn.org or write: 2584 Upton Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55405.

The Natural Step-US
is a nonprofit, tax-deductible organization providing educational materials and advanced trainings for the Natural Step network. Contact TNS at: PO Box 20372, San Francisco, CA 94129; Tel: 415-561-3344; Fax: 612-561-3345; email: tns@naturalstep.org; Web: www.naturalstep.org.

The Alliance for Sustainability
is a nonprofit, tax-deductible organization supporting a range of sustainability projects, including Natural Step Seminars and Introductions across the US, monthly Minnesota Network meetings, Sustainability Resource Center, Hopi Terrace Restoration, and the Center for Alternative Development Initiatives (Philippines). A $25 membership includes the e-mail newsletter Manna and discounts on publications and Natural Step seminars. A free basic membership is also offered and includes the e-mail newsletter Manna. Contact the Alliance at 1521 University Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414; Tel: 612-331-1099; Fax: 612-379-1527; Email: iasa@mtn.org, Web: www.mtn.org/iasa

The laws of Congress and the laws of physics have grown divergent,
and the laws of physics are not likely to yield.
-- Author Bill McKibben

Response Form
The Natural Step Sustainable Business and Communities

___I can’t attend, but I’d be interested in learning about other events.

___Please register me for Saturday April 21, 2001
8:30 am - 5:00 pm Central Baptist Church of Wayne, 106 W Lancaster Ave, Wayne, PA

___Please register me for Monday and Tuesday eves April 23-24, 2001
6:00 - 9:45 pm The Ethical Society Building, 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA

Early registration must be received by Monday, April 16.*
Add $25 after early registration deadline.

Fees:
* Early registration for individual payment: $95
* Early registration for company payment: $120
Registration for members of DVFOTNS, CBC or ASF: $65
Repeat attendees: $25

A limited number of scholarships are available by request to Susan Curry, 215-591-1551.

Fees include materials, a vegetarian soup, salad and bread

Name/Title__________________________________________________________________

Organization____________________________Address________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

Phone__________________________________Fax__________________________________

Email_______________________________________________________________________

Seminar Fee (see above) $_________

Late registration ($25) $_________

Total $_________

Fees are non-refundable but may be applied to future seminars.

Mail form and check payable to: Susan Curry, TNS
338 Lindenwold Ave #A, Ambler, PA 19002-4622

Parking and directions will be e-mailed to all early registrants with e-mail addresses. Others may call for information: 215-591-1551.

Please bring your own mug for beverages and a previously used name tag if you have one.