The Eco-Municipality Model for Sustainable Community Change:

Chequamegon Bay

“Making Connections”ProWalk/Pro Bike 2006

Madison WISeptember 6, 2006

What is an “eco-municipality”? aspires to develop an ecologically, economically, and socially healthy community for the long term

using the Natural Step framework for sustainability as a guide

and a democratic, highly participative development process as the method.

Source: “Eco-municipality Synopsis.” n.d.

Economy Environment

Society

View of Community as Three Unconnected Circles: “Silos” View

Economy Environment

Society

View of Community As Three Interconnected Circles: “Linkages” View

Economy

Environment

Society

View of Community as Three Concentric Circles: “Systems” View

What is different about this model?

The eco-municipality model uses a systems

approach. Key ingredients are widespread

community awareness-raising and integrated

community involvement, using a common

“sustainability language” based upon the

Natural Step framework.

Source: “Eco-municipality Synopsis.” n.d.

The Natural Step

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 just and sustainable future.

Australia

Brazil

Canada

Israel

Japan

New Zealand

South Africa

Sweden

United Kingdom

Find fundamental principles of indisputable relevance, and thereafter ask the advice of

others on how to apply them.

Dr. Karl-Henrik Robèrt

Ecosystems

Forests

WaterWildlife

Soil

Closing margin

for action

Deteriorating Living Systems

Population & Consumption

The Funnel of Converging Trends

Source: Sarah James and Tjorborn Lahti, The Natural Step for Communities. Based on work by Karl-Henrik Robert and others.

The Four System Conditions for Sustainability

In the sustainable society, nature is not subject to systematically increasing…

1. concentrations of substances extracted from the Earth’s crust;

2. concentrations of substances produced by society;

3. degradation by physical means;

and, in that society,

4. human needs are met worldwide.

System Condition 1

In order for a society to be sustainable, nature’s functions and diversity are not

systematically subject to increasing concentrations of substances extracted

from the earth’s crust.

• Ties into the First Law of Thermodynamics• Total mass and energy in the universe is conserved• For example, the burning of fossil fuels simply creates

gases in the atmosphere

1. Use planning approaches that reduce dependence on fossil fuels, underground metals, minerals.

System Condition 2

In order for a society to be sustainable, nature’s functions and diversity are not

systematically subject to increasing concentrations of substances produced

by society.

• Based on the Second Law of Thermodynamics (the Law of Entropy)

• Energy and matter tend to spread spontaneously and everything has a tendency to disperse -- bioaccumulation

• Examples range from mercury and lead poisoning to water pollution and toxic waste

2. Use planning approaches that reduce dependence upon chemicals and unnatural substances.

System Condition 3

In order for a society to be sustainable, nature’s functions and diversity are not

systematically impoverished by physical displacement, over-harvesting or other

forms of ecosystem manipulation.

• Maintaining the integrity of ecosystems, including biodiversity, is underscored

• The need to value the functions of living systems, such as water and air purification, pollination and climate regulation

• Calls for “systems thinking” approach to resource management and biological conservation

3. Use planning approaches that reduce encroachment upon nature.

Ecosystem Services

• Oxygen production• Purification of water and air• Supply of drinking water• Protection against cosmic and ultraviolet

radiation• Solar energy• Regulation of local and global climate• Maintenance of wildlife migration and

habitats• Storage, detoxification and recycling of

human waste

System Condition 4In order for a society to be sustainable,

resources are used fairly and efficiently to meet basic human needs globally.

• Speaks to the issue of equity• Provides an essential ethical aspect to the Natural Step• “Essential for social stability and the cooperation needed

for making large-scale changes within the framework laid out by the first three conditions”

4. Use planning approaches that meet human needs fairly and efficiently.

Planning for SustainabilityPolicy Guide

Adopted April, 2000

Planning for Sustainability Policy Guide

Develop Policies and Practices that Ultimately: 1. Eliminate our community’s contribution to

fossil fuel dependence and to wasteful use of scarce metals and minerals.

2. Eliminate our community’s contribution to dependence upon persistent chemicals and wasteful use of synthetic substances.

3. Eliminate our community’s contribution to encroachment upon nature (e.g., land, water, wildlife, forests, soil, ecosystems).

4. Meet human needs fairly and efficiently. Source: Based on the American Planning Association’s Planning for Sustainability Policy Guide, 2000.

Swedish Eco-

municipalities

Eco-Municipality Steps to Success

Finding the Fire Souls Education: raising awareness Official endorsement Involving the implementers Applying the “Compass” process Whole plan endorsement Keeping it going

(institutionalization)

•Source: The Natural Step for Communities; Sarah James and Tjorborn Lahti, 2004

The Compass

• Develop awareness

• Assess current situation

• Envision future• Backcast to

present• Act, develop

goals, do• Build partnerships

Chequamegon Bay

Ecomunicipality Development 2004-2006

Wisconsin Idea SeminarWisconsin Idea SeminarMay 2002May 2002

Attend Eco-municipality Workshop, May 2004

Study Tour to SwedenLocal presentations to

over 600 people

200 participated 13 co-sponsors

VISION 2030In the year 2030 the Lake Superior Watershed is sustainable. This means that society is working within the three first systems conditions, while satisfying human needs.

VISION 2030In the year 2030 the Lake Superior Watershed is sustainable. This means that society is working within the three first systems conditions, while satisfying human needs.

System Condition 1 Put an * next to actions that meet all 4 Scs.

List 3 actions that could be taken in the region to reduce dependence upon fossil fuels.

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System Condition 3

List 3 actions that could be taken in the region to reduce encroachment upon nature (land, water, wildlife, forests, soils, etc.)

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Sustainable ChequamegonSustainableChequamegon Center

• Project development• Networking • Share skills• Find suppliers,

markets• Support projects

2005 Pie and Politics

450 in attendance

Rocky Anderson, Mayor

Salt Lake City

“Climate Change and How Municipalities Can Respond”

2006 Pie and Politics

US Mayors Climate Change Protection Agreement

Eco-Municipality Resolutions Adopted

City of Washburn ~ July 2005

City of Ashland ~ August 2005

City of Madison ~ December 2005

Douglas Co. ~ May 2006

City of Duluth ~ May 2006Washburn City Council and staff with Torbjorn Lahti, summer 2005.

Study CirclesAlliance for Sustainability

9 circles: 3 in Ashland 3 in Washburn

2 in Bayfield 1 on Madeleine

80 participants

North American Eco-Municipality Network

City of WashburnCity of AshlandCity of MadisonPortsmouth NH

Lawrence NJVandergrift PA Tufts University

Sustainable PittsburghWhistler BC

The Natural Step, CanadaSustain Dane

University of Wisconsin-Extension

Sustainability Toolkit for Governments

• Sherrie Gruder, SHWEC, UW-Madison• Anna Haines, CLUE, UW-Stevens Point• Jerry Hembd, NCCED, UW-Superior• Mary Kluz, CNRED, Marathon County• Lisa McKinnon, 1000 Friends of Wisconsin• Jane Silberstein, CNRED, Ashland County

Elkhorn Existing Facilities

Synergies

• A new waste handling company is starting up based on our site. What they are now landfilling will become feedstock for us in the near future.

3D Model of Elkhorn Facilities Expansion Proposed EID Features

Bioenergy Options

Fuels & Chemicals

Electricity

Bio-based materials

Heat

Biodiesel

Bio-gas

SynthesisGas

Sugars and Lignin

Bio-Oil

Carbon-RichChains

Plant Products

Hydrolysis

Acids, enzymes

Gasification

High heat, low oxygen

Digestion

Bacteria

Pyrolysis

Catalysis, heat, pressure

Extraction

Mechanical, chemical

Separation

Mechanical, chemical

Feedstock production,collection, handling & preparation

• Organizational structure and funding• Projects galore• Trip(s) to Sweden• On-going education and training• On-going Study Circles• Office/headquarters

Sustainable Chequamegon

What’s Next?

JANE SILBERSTEIN

Community, Natural Resource and Economic Development Educator

University of Wisconsin-ExtensionAshland County

www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/ashland