[SustainableTompkins] guiding principles for sustainability

[Stephen Nicholson]

We now have this on our website: Look for the NEW sign on the front
page.
If you send me a short, concise, I will add it to our site.

Stephen C. Nicholson
Governance Chair, Sustainable Tompkins
Ithaca, NY
607-539-6923
scnfish at clarityconnect.com

www.sustainabletompkins.org



 
On October 12, 2006, participants in the monthly Sustainable  Tompkins 
gathering explored the many dimensions of what we will have to do to
co-create a 
more sustainable society.  One of our exercises was to explore what
principles 
we should use to  guide our choices.  Below is the  list that we started
that 
night.  
GUIDING  PRINCIPLES FOR SUSTAINABILITY 
(what principles for making  decisions would help ensure that outcomes
lead 
to sustainability?) 

    1.  Use  local resources  
    2.  Equity  for all  
    3.  How  much is enough?  
    4.  Balance   
    5.  Closed-loop  design  
    6.  Precautionary  principle  
    7.  "And  then what?"  -- ecoliteracy and  systems testing  
    8.  Waste  not, want not.  
    9.  Right  livelihood  
    10. 7  Generations decision making  
    11. No  regrets decision making  
    12. "The  economy and society are wholly-owned subsidiaries of the 
environment."  
    13. Enough  for all.  
    14. Participation  in decision making  
    15. Renewal  not consumption  
    16. Buy  local  
    17. Build  adaptable communities that can accommodate needed change
in 
the future  
    18. Design  for a restorative economy and culture  
    19. Learn  from the particular wisdom and assets of your place -
your 
bioregional and  local cultural heritage  
    20. Link  conservation to reduced cost of living  
    21. Justice  for current and future humans, species, and ecosystems