What does a sustainable society look like?

Last week we talked about a great website that addresses the question “What does a sustainable society look like?”. The website is http://www.reliableprosperity.net; and with the permission of the founding body Ecotrust we will share with you over the coming weeks the 57 elements for greater economic, social and environmental well-being and a sustainable future. “Together, these elements form a visual and conceptual framework that can be used by individuals, businesses, governments, and nonprofits to seed innovation and inspiration. Ecotrust developed this framework over nearly 20 years of practical work in the coastal temperate rainforests of the West (from Alaska to California) and they believe that reliable prosperity inherently serves the self-interest of individuals, communities, and nature.”  It is the goal of Ecotrust to seek to help people create their own reliable prosperity.

Reliable Prosperity

“When the health of ecosystems and communities is not integrated into economic activities, all three suffer. In turn, economic dependence on destructive activities creates apparent conflicts between work, nature, and community. How can we create an economy that effectively meets human needs while regenerating natural systems? An economy which grows organically — and fills new niches — by working with nature and enriching human capacities.  The following is a Pattern Map for “Reliable Prosperity”.