Sources Related to Natural Bio-Geo-Socio-Eco-Scientific Systems
While these URLs are
primarily oriented to scientific and engineering solutions to problems related
to the earth’s endangered ecology, many of them include addressing the
contribution of modern civilizations to the many aspects of the global,
systemic, environmental disaster we are facing. None, perhaps excepting the
Zurich Science and Technology University, take an approach as inclusive as The
Natural Systems Institute’s Duplex Pyramids perspective.
The National Academies "For human-dominated ecosystems undergoing
degradation from multiple demands and stresses, the goal should be to work
toward restoring and maintaining these systems' functions and integrity."
http://dels.nas.edu/sustainability/natural.php
Natural Systems International (NSI) is a leader in applied biotechnology and ecological engineering. For the past twenty years, Natural Systems International (NSI) has focused our firm development around water. The firm was founded with the mission of applying holistic ecological solutions to the problems that arise from the human uses of water. NSI works with integrated design teams to provide progressive options for water master planning, wastewater treatment and reuse, stormwater management, potable and non-potable water supply, and watershed restoration.NSI boasts a rare depth and diverse range of experience that equals or exceeds even the largest national engineering firms. Since 1989, NSI has designed, developed studies, specified and/or observed construction on more than 500 ecological engineering projects. http://www.natsys-inc.com/
The American Association for the Advancement of Science,
"Triple A-S" (AAAS), is an international non-profit organization dedicated to
advancing science around the world by serving as an educator, leader,
spokesperson and professional association. In addition to organizing membership
activities, AAAS publishes the journal
Science, as well as many scientific newsletters, books and reports,
and spearheads programs that raise the bar of understanding for science
worldwide.
http://science-mag.aaas.org/cgi/content/full/317/5844/1513
http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2009/1023reiser_health_intro.shtml
The Physical Environment
Distributed Atlas Maps of Global Physical Geography
http://www.uwsp.edu/geo/faculty/ritter/geog101/textbook/atlas.html
National Geographic: a vast archive of videos related to the natural environment; living things; cultures; history; and a Green Guide http://maps.nationalgeographic.com
These are CIA maps of the earth’s geography and ecology https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/docs/refmaps.html
Panarchy: understanding transformations in human and
natural systems By Lance H. Gunderson, C. S. Holling
A book oriented to transforming corporations to be dedicated to salvaging our
global natural environment.
http://books.google.com/books?id=DHcjtSM5TogC&dq=natural+systems&printsec=frontcover&source=bll&ots=xfu1MJjZ1d&sig=fox07BJC0qdJgONnETxRM4g7VS4&hl=en&ei=gkHtSpnmG4uWtgeD-Kww&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=11&ved=0CDMQ6AEwCg#v=onepage&q=&f=false
Education for Bachelor of Environmental Management (Natural Systems and Wildlife, Sustainable Development) in Australia
The Science of Maintaining and Restoring a Sustainable
Natural Environment ETH Zurich is a science and technology university
Solutions to mankind ís most urgent problems -- poverty, hunger,
disease, the threat to our very existence due to the spread of human
civilization -- demand that we find new approaches to knowledge and skills. It
believes that a network of knowledge and skills acquired in an interdisciplinary
environment best respond to the natural and cultural interdependencies of life.
By integrating the natural sciences, technology, the humanities and social
sciences, we can devise innovative concepts of education and research which will
allow us to tackle the enormous challenges facing mankind, and help lay a path
for a meaningful and sustainable development of present and future
civilizations.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.mobilitymatters.ethz.ch/project/SelfEval_Einstieg/Agroecosystem_Science/KnowledgeBase/Natural_Systems.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.mobilitymatters.ethz.ch/project/infopoint/SelfEval_Einstieg/Earth_Science/KnowledgeBase/nat_system&h=296&w=450&sz=21&tbnid=fNZGGGBMZyI8oM:&tbnh=84&tbnw=127&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dnatural%2Bsystems&usg=__4Fa1kQZqaQzlubPKXwZ3u3MVrDM=&ei=gkHtSpnmG4uWtgeD-Kww&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=15&ct=image&ved=0CEEQ9QEwDg
The Natural Edge - Introduction to Sustainable Development for Engineering and Built Environment Professionals http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.naturaledgeproject.net/images/NaturalSystemsUnderstandingMap.JPG&imgrefurl=http://www.naturaledgeproject.net/ESSPCLP-Intro_to_SD-Lecture7.aspx&h=330&w=435&sz=29&tbnid=mMfJJRroaUUjTM:&tbnh=96&tbnw=126&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dnatural%2Bsystems&usg=__mMXk6-nwOtLTby_EdotQNLfszkU=&ei=gkHtSpnmG4uWtgeD-Kww&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=14&ct=image&ved=0CD8Q9QEwDQ
TreeHuggers – Learning to Live with the Natural Environment
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.treehugger.com/system-design-ABLE.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/10/biomimicry-design-systems.php&h=330&w=468&sz=22&tbnid=QIVVhfqqEfT_XM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=128&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dnatural%2Bsystems&usg=__5qbMZIBBjpXbOk52jF4sHmoH5hE=&ei=gkHtSpnmG4uWtgeD-Kww&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=16&ct=image&ved=0CEMQ9QEwDw
Natural Systems Components
of the Earth System
The Earth system is a complex
functioning system that includes all the components of the various "spheres"
like the solid Earth or lithosphere, the
gaseous envelope surrounding the Earth that is the
atmosphere, biosphere
comprised of all living organisms and the hydrosphere
or "water sphere".
http://www.uwsp.edu/geo/faculty/ritter/geog101/textbook/earth_system/natural_systems.html
Natural Systems Agriculture is a new paradigm for food production, where nature is mimicked rather than subdued and ignored. Because we are located in native prairie, we look to the prairie as our model for grain crops. As a result, we are investigating the feasibility of perennial polycultures or mixtures of perennial grains. No other organization has sought to do this. After publishing numerous papers in scientific refereed journals, writing books, and making many presentations here and abroad, The Land Institute receives attention worldwide for its ideas. http://www.landinstitute.org/vnews/display.v/ART/2000/08/05/377bbbe53
Reconnecting with Nature
for
Sustainable Lifestyles, Organizations, and Communities
Our Philosophy
The beauty of our
basic philosophy is its simplicity: We come from the Earth and are totally
dependent upon it for our sustenance, so we require a healthy planet in order to
be healthy ourselves--and vice versa.
The essence of this philosophy reflects science's awareness of the
interconnected nature of reality. We see the prevailing world view of
'separateness'--spirit from body, person from person, humanity from nature--as
the underlying cause of most of our current personal, societal, and
environmental crises. The Earth has been in perfect balance for billions of
years, so achieving health for ourselves, our culture, and our planet is simply
a matter of remembering how to think and act the way the rest of nature works.
This can occur by adhering to the four core principles of natural
systems--mutual support and reciprocity, no waste, no greed, and increasing
diversity. These principles enable the prime activity of life--the creation of
self-organizing attraction relationships that support the whole.
http://www.attractionretreat.org/NSS/
A somewhat traditional, conservative, yet systems oriented news update http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/earth_climate/ecology/
