Customer Reviews

The Natural Step for Communities: How Cities and Towns can Change to Sustainable Practices

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In the 1980s, Lahti's hometown of Overtornea, Sweden was dying. The worldwide recession left the village in an inhospitable climate with no major industry and a declining population. Lahti organized community residents and developed a plan to revitalize Overtornea using principles of environmental, economic, and social sustainability. Thus was born the sustainability revolution in Sweden that is taking hold in Europe and spreading to other parts of the world. This is not a story, but a how-to manual. The king of Sweden has endorsed Lahti's methods and seen a resurgence of vital business throughout the country while reducing waste and fossil fuel consumption.

Currently, my city is undergoing a move from an average municipality to becoming an eco-municipality. This change would have never been possible without this inspirational book. Our city is working at creating a system approach to change rather than doing one little thing at a time just like The Natural Step advises.

It has helped other cities in Wisconsin to become more sustainable and it truly has a lot of ideas in it. It uses a lot of referesnces to Sweden, but still leaves room to discuss how North America is pushing for change as well. This is a MUST read for anybody who works in municipal government or is an active community leader.

Although I have only began to read this book, I like the direction that it is going. Anyone that is a municipal manager or worker at any level, as well as all that consider themselves 'green' should read this book. It's a small investment for a better world.

Read the book from my bother's recommendation. He, especially, liked the Heat and Thermal aspect/analogy as being one himself. The book is an interesting read, some far fetched solutions, but in general makes sense. Myself, not as enthralled, but will award a four star for interesting subject. My background from business and manufacturing just made me more of skeptic for the easy solutions. So many books written on sustainability or becoming self sufficient with Green low cost (long term) expense. I admit, I love these reads and dream with my Mother Earth magizine in hand.

First, I don't believe, poor communities would change that much unless the education and morality of neighborhood improved. That is, in my opinion, the biggest obstacle. Also, the Natural Step has always been with us. It is a natural progression. As with all experiments the success requires testing, analysis, cost benefit analysis, investments, communication, Engineering, sciences, and the such always based on quality of life, standard of living, or lower cost. For instance, read up on the technology of farming. It is amazing, the modern practices.

Some things to think about....would community gardens or private household hydroponics and Earthboxes may be a better alternative? Consider progress upon the medical sector as technology, meds, and statistical studies uncovering tremendous disease prevention improvements. Energy sector is currently in revolutionary phase with alternative fuels, energy storage, and efficiences. Electrical grid and power generation for long time has quietly been tested and improved upon technology.

May this be the biggest benefit to society to finally becomes interested in such matters? To actually invest in being part of the experiment? That merely becoming an intelligent consumer the most benefit. That increasing cost or taxes on unhealthy products to reflect true cost do as much? This would empowering open market solutions, which always have more power for change than government edicts. Also, may the entertainment or news industries just not equipped to do much informing or educating in non bias format. This may just be the Achilles Heel of our society and problem? Meaning it's just to easy to ingest garbage for fun/entertainment. May Hollywood be as toxic as Twinkies or Big Business? May the little tyrants upon community boards and code enforcers be as bad in stopping progression to sustainable neighborhoods? May the Trial Lawyers within reality be killing off imitativeness as it will always carry more liability and risk. May large central bureaucratic control be the biggest obstacle to change? These agencies empowered and put in place for health, safety, and environmental concerns yet the bureaucratic control just squash easy solutions and change. May reeling in these bureaucracies and instead allow more bottom up solutions be better. To communicate successes and replicate with some monetary incentives?

My participation in a local "sustainable cities" study circle included reading and studying this book. The book is a study of the renewal that has taken place in Sweden. Faced with a collapsing economy, cities, with collective cooperation from businesses, the government and their citizens brought prosperity back to Sweden. What we mean by "sustainable cities" is a community that is self-supportive--an equilibrium. And this brings about a cleaner, more efficient way of life.

Sweden can be an example for us to follow, especially their developments and the sense of community. The U.S. is not Sweden, nor do we want it to be. Sweden is a socialistic country. That means the government controls more than it should. That's why it needs to start at the bottom, with each individual--a new mindset or outlook. There are things cities can do to bring themselves closer to sustainability without damaging their economy. In fact, with incentives, there may be new growth never before seen.

The book has many positives and negatives. Planning starts with the local municipalities, not the federal or state government. We need to be careful when we try and solve one environmental problem only to create a whole new problem. The book is rife with socialistic thinking. The authors would have been better off leaving "global warming" and politics out.

America is prosperous, it took Sweden a meltdown to come to grips with its future as a nation. In a democracy, with God as its foundation, we will stay strong. There are amazing things that Sweden has done, we should take a look at them.

Wish you well
Scott