[SustainableTompkins] guiding principles for sustainability

[John Miller]

Below from Wikipedia- I've highlighted some that should be considered
for addition and have some specific observations/personal comments:
1.    need to balance localization with globalization (strong individual
as part of a strong community) (the good parts like the internet) to
avoid isolation. We are all connected, especially on big issues such as
global warming. We need to share ideas and solutions throughout the
global community. If any one local group is suffering, then we suffer as
a whole and locally.
2.    strengthening both democracy and sustainability are crucial.
People will make the difference and more populist/direct democracy
critical to hasten the right decisions
3.    "stealing without shame" business best practices to plan, execute
and continuously improve is a huge opportunity. Discussion, awareness,
activism is important but the prioritization of actions and efficient
execution more important.  I see this as a huge opportunity we are
missing currently.
 
Wiki excerpt
 
A number of common principles are embedded in most charters or action
programs to achieve sustainable development, sustainability or
sustainable prosperity. These include (Hargroves & Smith 2005):
.     dealing cautiously with risk, uncertainty and irreversibility; 
.     ensuring appropriate valuation, appreciation and restoration of
nature; 
.     integration of environmental, social and economic goals in
policies and activities; 
.     equal opportunity and community participation; 
.     conservation of biodiversity and ecological integrity; 
.     ensuring inter-generational equity; 
.     recognizing the global dimension; 
.     a commitment to best practice; 
.     no net loss of human or natural capital; 
.     the principle of continuous improvement; and 
.     the need for good governance.
 
-----Original Message-----
From: sustainabletompkins-bounces at lists.mutualaid.org
[mailto:sustainabletompkins-bounces at lists.mutualaid.org] On Behalf Of
Katie Quinn-Jacobs
Sent: Wednesday, November 01, 2006 11:08 AM
To: Sustainable Tompkins County listserv
Subject: Re: [SustainableTompkins] guiding principles for sustainability
 
I'd add:
 
Build resiliency and self-sufficiency into households, workplaces and 
cooperative networks.
 
-- Katie Q-J
 
 
 
GayNicholson at aol.com wrote:
 
> 
> 
>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.  Please feel free to add your ideas via our listserv.  They'll
reside  
>in our archives until we can add this to our website layout. 
>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
>
>
>
>----------------------------------------------------
>Gay  Nicholson, Ph.D. 
>
>607-533-7312 (home office)
>607-279-6618  (cell)
>
>1 Maple Avenue
>Lansing, NY  14882
>gaynicholson at aol.com
>
>Sustainable Tompkins 
>Program  Coordinator 
>w_ww.sustainabletompkins.org_ (http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/) 
>
>Southern Tier Energy$mart Communities
>Regional  Coordinator
>Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County
>615 Willow  Ave., Ithaca, NY  14850
>agn1 at cornell.edu
>
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>  
>
 
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