Introduction to Compass

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The Compass
An Orientation Tool and Thinking Lens for Sustainability and Transformation

Herman Dalys Systems Pyramid

Dalys Triangle adapted by Donella Meadow (1998)

Herman Dalys Systems Pyramid

The Pyramid is based on the three categories of interest proposed by ecological economist Herman Daly, in a format known informally as Dalys Triangle

The Compass of Sustainability

Definitions of the four Compass Points

Environmentally healthy and Responsible
Nature

Healthy & Happy

Wellbeing Economy

Economically Responsible & Viable

Society

Socially Responsible Cohesive and involved

Four system conditions for Sustainability

Living within the Earths physical and biological limits

Supporting social stability, equity, and development

The Compass of Sustainability

The Compass of Sustainability uses the four directions of the Compass (N, E, S, W) to reflect four fully interdependent dimensions of life: (N = Nature) - The natural systems on which all life depends; healthy air, water, land; sustainable resource use; sufficient habitat; preservation of scenic beauty

The Compass of Sustainability

The Compass of Sustainability uses the four directions of the Compass (N, E, S, W) to reflect four fully interdependent dimensions of life: (E = Economy) The economic systems that provide humanity with goods, services, and meaningful work; includes revenue, jobs and wages, budgets, taxes, markets, etc;

The Compass of Sustainability

The Compass of Sustainability uses the four directions of the Compass (N, E, S, W) to reflect four fully interdependent dimensions of life:
(S = Society) The social and cultural systems that provide cohesion, identity, security and freedom; cultural traditions; legal frameworks

The Compass of Sustainability

The Compass of Sustainability uses the four directions of the Compass (N, E, S, W) to reflect four fully interdependent dimensions of life:
(W = Wellbeing) - The health, happiness, and quality of life for individual people and their families

Nature
Natural Resources use and management (water, air, soil, forests, etc) Environmental values and ethics

Land use patterns Pollution & Environmental Quality Environmental policy, laws & regulations Biodiversity & Ecosystem Ecosystem Services (e.g. clean water, oxygen generation, CO2 sequestration ) Urban built environment

Nature Natural Resources use and management Environmental values and ethics Land use patterns Pollution & Environmental Quality Environmental policy, laws & regulations Biodiversity & Ecosystem Ecosystem Services Urban built environment

Economy
Economic vitality Consumption patterns (energy, raw materials, water, etc.) Fiscal Budgets (revenue & expenses) Employment levels Wages & benefits Transportation (how people travel) Cost of living & inflation. Investment (domestic and international) Accountability and transparency Research & development (innovation)

Nature Natural Resources use and management Environmental values and ethics Land use patterns Pollution & Environmental Quality Environmental policy, laws & regulations Biodiversity & Ecosystem Ecosystem Services Economy Urban built environment Economic vitality Consumption patterns Fiscal Budgets Employment levels Wages & benefits Transportation Cost of living & inflation. Investment Accountability and transparency Research & development

Society
Social Cohesion among different groups Political process and decision-making Public Services (waste mgmt, water, electricity, etc.) Social Services (health care, education, etc.) Ethnic and gender equity and equality Infrastructure Cultural diversity, identity and preservation Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Public security (e.g. crime levels, public safety) Education system and results

Nature Natural Resources use and management Environmental values and ethics Land use patterns Pollution & Environmental Quality Environmental policy, laws & regulations Biodiversity & Ecosystem Ecosystem Services Economy Urban built environment Economic vitality Consumption patterns Fiscal Budgets Employment levels Wages & benefits Transportation Cost of living & inflation. Investment Accountability and Society transparency Social Cohesion Research & development Public Services Social Services Infrastructure Ethnic and gender equity and equality Political process and decision-making Cultural diversity, identity and preservation Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Public security Education system and results

Wellbeing
Quality of life (work/life balance) Physical and mental health Sense of personal security Working & living conditions Individual access to education Personal relationships Spiritual fulfillment Emotional intelligence Happiness

Nature Natural Resources use and management Environmental values and ethics Land use patterns Pollution & Environmental Quality Environmental policy, laws & regulations Biodiversity & Ecosystem Ecosystem Services Economy Urban built environment Economic vitality Wellbeing Consumption patterns Fiscal Quality of life Budgets Physical and mental Employment levels health Wages & benefits Personal security Transportation Working & living Cost of living & inflation. conditions Investment Individual access to Accountability and Society education transparency Social Cohesion Personal relationships Research & development Public Services Spiritual fulfillment Social Services Emotional intelligence Infrastructure Happiness Ethnic and gender equity and equality Political process and decision-making Cultural diversity, identity and preservation Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Public security Education system and results

Example from Thailand: The First Compass School

Happy Rector Enlightened Student Inspired Teacher Board Chair With New Ideas Empowered Community Worker

Engaged Government Official

Committed Team

The Importance of Perspective