Rules of thumb in Green (III): William Mc Donough

In his Hannover Prinicples of Sustainable Developement, William Mc Donough (co-author of Cradle-to-cradle) provides us with 9 principles, in which he clearly makes way for eco-effectiveness (celebrating abundance and diversity) in stead of eco-efficiency (urging for less...)

No need to say this is (already now) one of my all time favourites:

1. Insist on rights of humanity and nature to co-exist:

in a healthy, supportive, diverse and sustainable condition

2. Recognize interdependence

The elements of human design interact with and depend upon the natural world, with broad and diverse implications at every scale. Expand design considerations to recognizing even distant effects.

3. Respect relationships between spirit and matter
Consider all aspects of human settlement including community, dwelling, industry and trade in terms of existing and evolving connections between spiritual and material conciousness

4. Accept responsibility for the consequences of design decisions
upon human well-being, the viability of natural systems, and their right to co-exist.

5. Create safe objects of long term value
Do not burden fututre genetations with requirements for maintenance of vigilant administration of potential danger due to the careless creation of products, processes and standards.

6. Eliminate the concept of waste
Evaluate and optimize the full life-cycle of products and processes to approach the state of natural systems in which there is no waste.

7. Rely on natural energy flows
Human designs should, like the living world, derive their creative forces from perpetual solar income. Incorporate the energy efficiently and safely for responsible use.

8. Understand the limitations of design
No human creation lasts forever and design does not solve all problems. Those who create and plan should practice humility in the face of nature. Treat nature as a model and mentor, not as inconvenience to be evaded and controlled.

9. Seek constant improvement by the sharing of knowledge
Encourage direct and open communication between collegues, patrons, manufacturers and users to link long term sustainable considerations with ethical responsibility, and re-establish the integral relationship between natural processes and human activity.