Regina Hauser, Director of The Oregon Natural Step Network
interviews Dr. Robert at a recent Natural Step conference
held in October, 2007 at Nike world headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon.
The exclusive interview is included as a "Special Feature" of the DVD
"A Passion for Sustainability."
Karl-Henrik Robèrt, M.D., Ph.D., is one of Sweden's leading cancer scientists and a key figure in the worldwide sustainability movement. In 1989, Robèrt initiated a network of experts on the environment called The Natural Step. The Natural Step framework developed by Robèrt, sets out the system conditions for sustainability. The framework has been applied to fields as diverse as green building and the ecological management of river basins. Robert’s system conditions are significant in that they are scientifically-based, but readily understandable, principles for sustainability.
Cancer research led to environmental concerns
As head of Sweden's Karolinska Institute, Robèrt conducted research on several forms of cancer, including leukemia, lymphoma and lung cancer. His research on damage to human cells led him to consider environmental questions. He later observed that since the late 19th Century, humans have been "disrupting the cyclical processes of nature at an accelerating pace." This led him to realize that the linear processes of modern society were producing garbage at unprecedented rates — not only that visible in garbage dumps, but also unseen molecular garbage. Since "all linear processes must eventually come to an end," the only way to save ourselves from the consequences, in his view, would be to restore the cyclical processes of nature.
Development of The Natural Step framework
Robèrt came to realize that there were certain basic realities of the environmental problems of the planet that were true for everyone, no matter their political views. He reasoned that certain facts could be established, based on current knowledge. Rather than arguing, he reasoned, if people could agree upon something, it might become the basis for action. He wrote a paper that he sent to a wide cross-section of top scientists in Sweden, seeking such a consensus. He asked them to correct the errors in his paper. On receiving the responses, he modified his paper and sent it around again. Twenty-two drafts later he had the consensus he sought. This was the basis for The Natural Step framework.
Seeking a broad consensus, Robèrt consulted municipalities, businesses, government departments, environmental organizations, and the arts community. Once he had secured the imprimatur of the King of Sweden, The Natural Step was launched with attendant television coverage and distribution of educational material to every school and household in Sweden.
Awards and honors
Robèrt has won a number of awards, both for his work in cancer research and for his development of the Natural Step framework.
In 1984, Robèrt won the Swedish Hematological Association Research Award. He received the Green Cross Millennium Award for International Environmental Leadership in 1999. The following year he was awarded the Blue Planet Prize. The latter was for his work in developing a systems perspective for sustainability and for increasing environmental awareness on the part of businesses and municipalities and other organizations.
Quotation
If we think systematically, we will stop asking, "How much is nature worth?" We will know that we are a piece of nature ourselves. --K.-H. Robèrt
"Karl-Henrik Robèrt." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 7 Nov 2007, 08:36 UTC. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 27 Nov 2007 <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Karl-Henrik_Rob%C3%A8rt&oldid=169822448>.