[SustainableTompkins] Holding out a vision beyond green

Mon Nov 20 08:16:35 PST 2006

Thank You Gay for the well thought out and informed response. You have an
understanding of the development of this effort that sheds light on how
these things happen in local government.

Although some of the underlying issues I mentioned (racism, classism,
sexism) are very real in our community, I agree it is very important that ST
promote a compassionate and transformative approach to change.

Small steps should be encouraged, and I personally was not trying to accuse
the Team, but to remind ST members that we can hold out a strong vision with
equity and ecology and prosperity at the heart.

Mainly what I am drawing our attention to is how easy it is for us to shift
from "environmental committees" to "Sustainability Teams" without seriously
and EXPLICITLY (that is putting it as part of the groups goals and targets)
taking into account how this 'new' language of sustainability implies that
social equity is now part of the equation.

If equity is not part of the intention, or that the initiators are planning
to design equity goals into their work, then I personally feel is not an
appropriate use of the term 'sustainability'. Fundamental to
'sustainability' is to "meet the needs of the present". American society
struggles with that and environmentalism traditionally overlooked that.
Sustainability to me is about ending that oversight within a vision for
social change.

I agree that Kathy is likely to be open to this emphasis, and I would
propose that it is the community that advocates "sustainability" ie US,
That needs to be there working with Kathy to help them be EXPLICIT that
equity is part of the equation.

But please I would echo Gay's sense that accusations and assumptions will
only drive a wedge into this effort.

I for one was not accusing the local government of anything.
But as their "sustainability" support team we need to be clear about what is
traditional 'environmental' strategies ie 'green house gas reductions' and
what are sustainability strategies ie '

> Focus also on using local contractors to help them meet their  targets.
> Take steps to be sure that the lowest paid employees, janitors, trash
collectors, and other blue collar positions are supported in their
participation.
> Take steps so that people of color, women, and low income employees are chosen
as initiative leaders
> Be sure that the benefits of and supports for change efforts are equitably
distributed across county operations.

If anything I am reminding ST that we need to be EXPLICIT in how we promote
sustainability, because "Green" is not the goal. Green, Just, and Thriving
is the goal. And ST should be proud to support that visionary direction.

Thanks and everyone please consider buying Carbon Off Sets for your holiday
travels and support Native American communities. This is a perfect example
of what I am talking about. You could simply buy offsets or buy them through
a native owned company. No difference in ease but a different orientation
toward Green and Just.

Visit the website to calculate your travel footprint.
http://www.nativeenergy.com/TravelCalculator.php5

Take care all and have fun.

Dan

On 11/20/06 2:02 AM, "GayNicholson at aol.com" <GayNicholson at aol.com> wrote:

>  
>  
> Dan et al,
>  
> I share everyone's concerns and goals about building social equity into our
> work.  However, I just want to make sure everyone understands that this
> effort is focused only on county government operations and facilities, not on
> the 
> residents and businesses of the county.  The EMC started the local  climate
> action plan as a means of helping the County government 'walk its talk'  and
> try 
> to be a role model for others in the county in reducing greenhouse gas
> emissions.  The County has made a considerable investment in energy
> improvements 
> in their facilities, but nobody had yet taken on the  EMC's recommendation
> that 
> county employees learn about energy efficient  behaviors.
>  
> For some of those involved in the Sustainability Team, this is the first
> time they have explored the concept of sustainability and the reasons for
> taking  
> action.  I found it very encouraging that the group quickly moved  from just
> energy education to undertaking a more comprehensive look at  overall county
> operations.
>  
> My suggestion that we design for the involvement of all county  employees in
> the initiative was well received by the county department  heads.  It will be
> important for county employees to work across some of  the hierarchies and
> departmental boundaries that tend to exist in  government agencies (and other
> institutions).  That's a proven way to find  the necessary innovations in
> developing and adopting more sustainable  practices.  There was general
> agreement 
> that "top down" doesn't work, as  proven by failed initiatives in the past.
>  
> By working together in each building and department to solve some of  the
> practical issues of energy conservation, resource management, and toxic
> exposures, I think we will build awareness about the social equity and  mutual
> accountability aspects of sustainable living.  These are important  skills and
> viewpoints that need to be developed in all of  us to enhance the local
> sustainable 
> community movement.
>  
> I don't want to make assumptions about anybody's attitude about social
> justice, but I feel confident that Kathy Luz Herrera, our county legislative
> liaison, as well as other county staff and legislators, would embrace the idea
> of 
> using the sustainability initiative to explore the social equity aspects of
> becoming a more sustainable organization.
>  
> I hope that the language we use to raise this topic can be free of
> accusations and assumptions.  When you are learning how to do  something for
> the first 
> time, it's a bit deflating to be told immediately that  'you're doing it all
> wrong' when you haven't even gotten started.  CRESP  recently hosted a speaker
> on transformative action, who emphasized the need to  move out of the roles of
> victim and oppressor, and move into roles based upon  our common humanity.  I
> think the folks on the county Sustainability Team  will be receptive to
> suggestions, especially if done in an encouraging  way.
>  
> Thanks again for your concern and input.  Wishing you a good  holiday and
> safe travels.
>  
> Gay
>  
> In a message dated 11/17/2006 10:33:41 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
> dnr6 at cornell.edu writes:
> 
> This  announcement is wonderful but one concern I have is that we are  calling
> things 'sustainable' without seriously addressing the social  justice
> dimensions of the equation.
> 
> I could see how the  'comprehensive plan' and 'waste' issues have social
> implications but that  needs to be highlighted in explicit terms otherwise
> this committee will be  seen by groups in the community committed to the
> issues of low income,  communities of color, and other marginalized groups as
> just another 'green'  effort that doesn't relate to them.
> 
> We need to SPELL OUT THE SOCIAL  SIDE OF THE SUSTAINABILITY EQUATION
> OTHERWISE THIS IS JUST ENVIRONMENTALISM  WITH A NEW NAME, AND PERPETUATES
> RACISM, CLASSISM, ETC...
> 
> The social  component of this effort is right beneath the surface we just
> need to draw  it to the surface and make this about equity also, otherwise
> people wont  see the connection and neither will we.
> 
> For example this task force  could
> 
> Focus also on using local contractors to help them meet their  targets.
> Be sure that women and people are color are chosen as initiative  leaders
> Focus on energy savings in homes that are commonly supported by DSS  (saving
> DSS money)
> Highlight how these efforts are improving the quality  of life in government
> sponsored places like Ithaca Youth Bureau and  GIAC.
> 
> Maybe these things are obvious to some, but other people wont  make the
> connection that sustainability has anything to do with equity  unless we are
> EXPLICIT.
> 
> 
> DAN ROTH
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------
> 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
> 
> _______________________________________________
> SustainableTompkins mailing list
> SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org
> http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins
> free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org

Sincerely,

Daniel Roth
(518) 727-6723

Executive Committee
US Partnership for the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development
www.uspartnership.org

Graduate Student
Adult and Extension Education
Cornell University
Ithaca NY 14850