The Two Lenses: A Summary
“Once we start to act, hope is everywhere. So instead of looking for hope, look for action. Then, and only then, hope will come.”
- Greta Thunburg
Introductory Notes
This section is an overview of The LifeLens, which may be helpful to read first.
Also, the concept of Life Support System, Life System, Nature and Environment are used interchangeably here. I prefer to use Life System (short for Life Support System) because it automatically includes humans (encompassed in life). See the section on Life System (link located on The LifeLens page??) for more information.
What are the three major impacts that all life has on the environment? The Life Lens framework is based on the following impacts:
1. All LifeS) TAKES UP SPACE
G) CONSUMES/USES NATURE’S GIFTS/RESOURCES
W) PRODUCES WASTE
These are the three common impacts all life has on the Life System.
2. Human Impacts
What are the three impacts humans have on the environment in the first minute of life?
S) WE TAKE UP SPACE: after separating from our mother
G) WE CONSUME NATURE’S GIFTS/RESOUCES: breathing in oxygen
W) WE PRODUCE WASTE: breathing out CO2
3. Basic Framework/Lens
The framework of the Life Lens is based on these three areas of impact:
S) SPACE (ecosystem space: land, water, air)
G) GIFTS/RESOURCES (ecosystem gifts/resources)
W) WASTE (ecosystem waste: what an individual creates but is unable to re-use.)4. Meaning of Space, Resources, Waste
S) SPACE is our home, the Earth, the planet we live on. Our Life System (Nature) is what sustains us; it is the ultimate gift for all life.
G) RESOURCES are free GIFTS from the Earth: air, water, land and life. Most renewable gifts come from the process of photosynthesis, e.g., green plants, thanks to the fundamental gift of the sun.
W) WASTE is essentially raw material for renewal. On Earth, there is no “away” (as in throw “away”). All the material that is on Earth now (except for a few meteors) has been here since the very beginning. In order for our Life System to sustain itself efficiently, all waste from life must return to the Life System so that it can be re-used again. And again. The Life System does this freely, automatically.5. Factories, Machines, Industry, Etc.
S) TAKE UP SPACE
G) CONSUME NATURE’S GIFTS/RESOURCES
W) GENERATE WASTE
Not just life can be described this way: industrial complexes, etc., that are created by humans also have the same kinds of impact, only more extreme, e.g., fossil fuel industry (see #13 below).
6. Alternative Definitions
S) SPACE = STRUCTURE / SPACE AROUND THE STRUCTURE
G) RESOURCES = INPUT (not all resources used are “consumed.”)
W) WASTE = OUTPUT (although output can be a human product vs. waste)
These might best describe industrial complexes, etc.
In 1996, soon after my return from Africa (see Author Background), I had the good fortune of meeting the Swedish founder of The Natural Step (TNS), Karl-Henrik Robert, at a conference in my hometown. Finally, someone had delineated what were originally called “System Conditions” for sustainability: the scientifically grounded steps an individual, community or organization could take in order to become more environmentally sustainable. Paul Hawken, the noted author/activist/entrepreneur, became head of TNS-US in Cambridge, MA. I was invited to join the TNS team until the office moved to San Francisco.
The Life Lens Framework
It was my time with TNS and working with the four System Conditions that brought me to the concept of the LifeLens. My mind tends to work in big-picture, conceptual and systemic ways. Despite my initial embrace of the TNS principles, I eventually realized that I was seeking something more basic and integral, something that would work as a living framework for sustainability, easily understood and remembered, even by preschoolers. It was like an epiphany when I found three words that formed the basis of the Life Lens (the environmental aspect of the LifeLens). They answered my question: what are the three basic impacts that all life has on the environment? All life takes up space, consumes resources, and generates waste. And with those three words, a simple framework emerged, a framework with multiple uses.
ELEMENTS OF THE LIFE LENS
space
resources
waste
The Human Lens Framework
I was content to stop there, with the environmental conditions. However, the fourth System Condition kept nagging at me: to meet human needs worldwide. My challenge was to look at our human species in the same simple way that I looked at all life. I asked myself: what is the simplest and most memorable way I can delineate human needs in a comparable framework? Initially, I was doubtful it could be done. Humans are far too complex and, honestly, I did not want to go down that road. I felt much more comfortable in the world of Nature.
Yet, I knew this was an essential part of the whole lens. I started by categorizing the nine human needs outlined by Manfred Max-Neef (Chilean economist), the same needs initially used by The Natural Step. I didn’t think most people would be able to remember or deal with so many needs. I kept looking for greater simplicity. Then suddenly, it all fell into place. I came upon a framework based on the four fundamental aspects of human nature: our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual being. Having discovered the PIES model while creating this website, I have since changed my original PEMS framework to the PIES model, which already exists.
ELEMENTS OF THE HUMAN LENS
physical
intellectual
emotional
spiritual
The more I worked with this framework, the more it seemed to fit into a common pattern of thinking that many of us have been using, albeit unconsciously. The Human Lens simply brings it into focus, revealing a way to see the world more wholistically and meaningfully. See what you think.
Comparison of the LifeLens and TNS System Conditions
In summary, the Life Needs of the Life Lens are somewhat equivalent, but quite different from the first three “system conditions” of TNS. The Life Lens combines the first two “system conditions” which are related to pollution (waste), and divides the third of physical degradation into space and resources. Furthermore, instead of having four equivalent system conditions, the LifeLens separates the three environmental system conditions from the fourth human condition into two different perspectives: the Life Lens (needs of all life) and the Human Lens (the needs of all humans). I believe this helps resolve a number of controversial issues (see: What is Novel About the LifeLens?).
Utility of the Two Lenses
So, two different yet essential, interdependent “lenses” emerged: one focused on humans; the other on all life. These two frameworks then took on a life of their own. I never imagined the almost infinite ways they can be used. The more I worked with them, the more I realized that these frameworks were already underlying our common thinking: that we use them without being aware that we do.
Personal Shift
What I didn’t expect was how the Human Lens would totally change my own personal lens, my worldview at the time. I was invested in environmental understanding: you just explain the basics of sustainability in a clear and simple way and people will nod their heads vigorously and leap on board. I now believe that our primary focus is to better understand how to motivate ourselves, individually and as a species, to live together more sustainably on the Earth: socially, economically and environmentally. What really matters to us? How can we strive to meet our needs in ever-expanding circles of inclusion?
Note: I am indebted to The Natural Step for taking me on this different path (all leading to the same destination!) TNS has been very successful both internationally and in Sweden where it originated.
The LifeLens is for anyone interested in exploring who we are and our relationship to the Earth, especially for educators. The main purpose of the LifeLens is to provide a very simple, wholistic and practical teaching tool for bringing important issues to the forefront that I believe need deeper dialogue and urgent action. By using two basic frameworks, it may be easier to grasp complex topics and issues, and to enter into dialogue, especially about subjects that may be difficult to bring up with others. Because it is interactive, the LifeLens invites the reader to come up with your own conclusions.
Note: The LifeLens is a work in progress. I would greatly appreciate your feedback, whether flaws or suggestions. Email the author >
Why is it written in question and answer form?
It is written this way, hopefully, to bring greater clarity. It is essentially an outline for exploring what I believe are broad issues that matter. I want to make the LifeLens as brief and concise as possible, summarizing a rather immense and ambitious subject: life. I realize that most readers might prefer a more cursive narrative with stimulating stories. However, I have learned that my mind is most comfortable in this format. The density of form is perhaps more conducive to those who also think this way, so I leave it to others, who so desire, to flesh it out.
Because of its brevity, each small section of the LifeLens could be the focus of a seminar or discussion group. (Occasionally I will add questions for further dialogue, prefaced with a triangle.) So as not to be too overwhelming, it might be advisable to read the LifeLens in brief digestible segments.
Why have you added so many quotes?
Quotes are brief yet full of meaning. I have chosen quotes from well known, well-respected people who have the acknowledged wisdom from research and experience. The quotes underscore the LifeLens responses, which, for the most part, come from common sense and long-established wisdom.
Why do you capitalize what are usually considered common names?
I capitalize names of our solar system, like our Earth or Sun because I believe it is simply a way of, well, honoring them. I also capitalize important aspects of the LifeLens, such as Human Needs.
What sources did you use?
All of the dictionary meanings are directly off the internet (e.g., MW=Merriam-Webster). Because I want everyone to be able to easily look things up for themselves, I have relied (for better or worse) on Wiki for many of my queries and elaborations. I also include other sources, especially when I expand on more controversial issues.
Openness and adaptability
The LifeLens is essentially an attempt to delineate a generally acceptable worldview, a guiding philosophy that could be readily understood and hopefully integrated into people’s lives. Although it is based primarily on science, academic disciplines, and common sense, it is always open to dialogue. While the lenses (frameworks) remain basically the same, the responses to questions may vary over time, especially with new information, and according to individual responses.
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