Sustainable Communities an Educational Resource from our outreach project funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Notes from the Center Salons Related articles in Synapse Local related links Sustainability resources Center Home

GENERAL RESOURCES Sustainability Web Ring http://sdgateway.net/webring/default.htm The Sustainability Web Ring, a service of the SD Gateway. This Internet tool allows users to navigate easily between web sites that deal with the principles, policies, and best practices for sustainable development. By following the links through the web ring, you will find information from around the world on how to deal with such crucial issues as: climate change, cleaner production, waste, poverty, consumerism, natural resource management, and governance. This information is particularly suited to decision-makers within civil society, government, business, research and funding institutions, and communities. The Ecological Footprint http://www.olywa.net/roundtable/footprint/index.html The "ecological footprint" may be the ultimate indicator of sustainability, a tool that helps answer the common questions -- What do you mean by sustainability? and How will we know if we're being sustainable? As sustainability becomes a popular buzzword, we tend to equate sustainable community with the good life, where everyone has a nice comfortable home, lots of open space, parks and other amenities, little traffic, low crime rate, good services. GROUP ONE: U.S. BASED RESOURCES The Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) http://www.ilsr.org is a nonprofit research and educational organization that provides technical assistance and information on environmentally sound economic development strategies. Since 1974, ILSR has worked with citizen groups, governments and private businesses in developing policies that extract the maximum value from local resources. GROUP TWO: INTERNATIONAL RESOURCES  Eco-Village Information Service http.//www.gaia.org/ Site for the Global Eco-Village Network which includes directory of member villages throughout the world; listing of publications, videos, newsletters and other resources for developing eco-villages; and calendar of events relevant to this network of intentional communities active pursuing sustainability. International Institute for Sustainable Development http://www.iisd.org/default.asp A large Canadian based site filled with valuable infor- mation which is regularly updated. Rich source of principles of sustainable development which are being used by many different types of Canadian organizations. New and exciting sections continue to be developed. United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/csd.htm The Commission on Sustainable Development consistently generates a high level of public interest. Over 50 ministers attend the CSD each year and more than one thousand non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are accredited to participate in the Commission's work. The Commission ensures the high visibility of sustainable development issues within the UN system and helps to improve the UN's coordination of environment and development activities. GROUP THREE: EXAMPLES OF SPECIFIC COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY PROJECTS ACCESSIBLE ON THE NET Chattanooga Committed to Sustainable Development: Economy,Ecology, Equity http://www.chattanooga.net/sustain/sustain_home.html Historical information on report of this cities work for a sustainable commuity which was presented in 1995 to the President's Council on Sustainability. Includes information on their sustainability activities in the areas of energy and transportaion, natural resources, agriculture, community participation and affordable housing, industry initiatives and eco-industrial parts, population and consumption. This site does not includ information about what Chattanooga is currently doing to enhance local sustainability. Sustainable Community Roundtable http://www.olywa.net/roundtable/ This site reports ongoing work on community sustainability in Olympia, Washington and the surrounding area of South Puget Sound. The work reported is being done by a community based non-profit organization which is staffed by volunteers and which has done two extensive reports(1993, 1995) on the state of sustainability in their area These reports serve as the basis for ongoing dialogue, planning and action to achieve local sustainability. Site also describes and explains "Sound Hours" the local currency of this area and provides a directory of nearly 500 businesses and individuals offering services in exchange for this local currency. Sustainable Seattle http://www.sustainableseattle.org/ Sustainable Seattle is a citizen group working to improve our region's long-term health and vitality--cultural, economic, environmental and social. Our mission is to advocate for sustainability in Seattle/King County.