US MOVES TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY
WHETHER BUSH LIKES IT OR NOT
By Rob Wheeler, US Campaign for Leadership on Sustainable Development
In
the Summer 2005 issue
of the CitNet Newsletter you will read that the US ranks 45th among
all countries in the Environmental
Sustainability Index. However this doesn't mean that nothing is
being done in the US. Many cities, states, and communities are taking
the lead in moving towards a sustainable future. You can see where your
city ranks and what you or your community can do to become more sustainable
by reading the article about SustainLane.
In Johannesburg, at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002,
all of the governments agreed to create National Strategies for Sustainability
and to begin to implement them by 2005. Even the Bush Administration
signed off on this, though they haven't done much about it since. Thus
the Citizens Network for Sustainable Development is following up with
a National Campaign for Leadership on Sustainable Development.
The projects and initiatives mentioned below can help us create a fully
sustainable future in the US.
DECADE OF EDUCATION
FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The UN formally launched the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development
on March 1 in New York. Details.
The US activities are being coordinated by the US
Partnership for the Decade - which is already quite active.
Four events were held during the UN Commission on Sustainable Development
in April focusing on the Decade, including:
- The first meeting of a National Youth Council
for the Decade (Details)
- A networking and visioning session on Engaging Faith Communities in
the Decade;
- A session on curriculum development and implementation: (Details)
See the US
Partnership Newsletter of May 2005
The US Partnership has also co-sponsored the "Earth
& Religion" conference (June 9-12) and a Federal
Sustainability Summit with CEQ, EPA, and other agency leaders.
UNESCO is sponsoring the Decade. Thus you will find the implementation
scheme and more here.
NATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY PLANNING
The UN Commission on Sustainable Development has created a set of guidelines
for countries to use in developing their National Strategy Plans.
National Strategy Reports are posted here.
Finally the President's Council on Sustainable Development (under Clinton)
issued its own Recommendations
& Report.
COMMUNITY PLANNING AND ORGANIZING
The Urban Accords were a featured part of San Francisco's World Environment Day activities in June. They provide an excellent set of targets and goals for creating a sustainable community.
Many US cities are also participating in ICLEI's Climate Protection program.
The EarthDay Network has organized a Campaign
for Communities to create healthy communities through participatory
democracy.
The Empowerment Institute has developed a Household
EcoTeams Program to help us adopt more sustainable lifestyles.
Global Community Initiatives
help communities become sustainable.
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
You will also find some excellent Calendars of Events and Activities
at:
Citizens Network for Sustainable Development - Calendar
of Events
EcoFriendly
Living Calendar
Education for
Sustainable Development Events
Green Building Calendar
