The principle of environmental feedback within natural systems is derived from the cybernetic nature of ecosystems.
In order to maintain themselves within an overall ecosystem, the sub-systems in nature must have feedback mechanisms to monitor developments and to regulate and control their development within the established carrying capacity constraints of the overall system. Positive feedback mechanisms are particularly useful in young ecosystems to encourage further growth along an intended path. Negative feedback mechanisms become increasingly important as ecosystems reach maturity when resource and carrying capacity constraints become more pronounced.
The sustainability of today's resource intensive cities requires that environmental feedback systems are put in place to stop development, consumption, waste, pollution, and other environmental hazards when established carrying capacities at the local, regional, and even global level are being exceeded.