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... The basic theory of evolution was summed up by Charles Darwin and his theory of natural selection: survival of the fittest. ... We are neglecting to understand that we must preserve our earth by reducing the amount of natural resources we extract from the earth and reduce the amount of pollution and waste deposited in the earth. The effects of our industrialization is documented by the erosion of the ozone layer caused by pollution, the burning of our natural rain forests and the wastes deposited in our ocean, all of which are destroying our earth. “All of our basic life needs --- breathing, drinking, and eating --- are dependent on the continuing capacity of the natural world to provide us with pure, uncontaminated air, water, and food. ... 4) If we continue to overlook this trend, we are bound to run into a brick wall, the limits imposed by the natural world. ...
The Natural Step for Business offers us a solution to this problem. ... Karl-Henrick Robert of Stockholm, the leading mastermind behind The Natural Business, has provided companies with a framework and learning platform to begin this journey to sustainability. ... 24) This applies to the use of natural resources and we must not extract them faster than the Earth can naturally replenish. ... In order for us to understand the Natural Step for Business, we must understand the scientific background of the framework. ... These serve as the foundation for The Natural Step and only by understanding these concepts, can we have a sustainable society. ...
Next we will examine four companies who have successful integrated The Natural Step for Business into their operations. Each company differs in comparison based on their experience with The Natural Step, the size of the company, publicly and privately held companies, and their operation in different markets and cultures.
Let us begin with IKEA, one of the very first companies to implement The Natural Step for Business in 1990. ... 48) It was the change in the marketplace for environmental awareness that sparked IKEA to implement The Natural Step for Business. ... The Natural Step for Business has provided a compass to help IKEA guide their way to becoming a sustainable company. ... Initially, customers were proud of their new involvement with the environment, but continual training was needed to renew initiatives until it became natural to think of the environment.
To put theory into action, IKEA had to somehow implement The Natural Step for Business into their daily operations. ... Fourth, it tries to use raw materials that are organic or natural. ... Nilsson is very customer oriented and his company philosophy is omtanke which translates as a profound caring for their customers, their coworkers, their shareholders, the communities in which they operate, and the natural environment. ... So by innovative thinking and the environment in mind, Scandic has lowered costs and protect the natural world at the same time.
Vice President Gunnar Brandberg understood that Scandic cannot continue to ignore the environment, and he felt that The Natural Step was the best platform to help them in their cause. ... He then created environmental polices based on The Natural Step framework. ...
Training began in 1994 and it involved 15 trainers in The Natural Step framework. ... is our third company that has effectively implemented The Natural Step. ... After hearing about The Natural Step, interface became the first American company to adopt the program in 1996. ... 107) The Natural Step served as a reference point and together with QUEST and EcoSense, Interface was on the way to achieving their goal. The Natural Step also provided core education for all employees about the way of natural systems. ...
Unlike IKEA and Scandic, Interface’s quest for sustainability did not begin with The Natural Step. It already had the idea of being environmental friendly from its founder Anderson, and The Natural Step provided Interface with science based model for which to follow. ... Again, The Natural Step was used as a framework for achieving their goal and it went hand in hand with their certification process. What attracted Collins to The Natural Step was that everything must be done one step at a time. ... The Natural Framework has helped Collins Pine’s workforce to understand sustainability at the environmental, social, and financial levels, as well as its relevance in its day to day operations. ... The Natural Step has provided these companies with a compass, a framework of which to begin their process to becoming a sustainable company through its four system conditions.
Approximate Word count = 3716
Approximate Pages = 14.9
(250 words per page double spaced)
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