There are many different definitions of sustainablity. Part of the work involved in this project is developing a Pioneer Valley specific definition. We are doing this through a combination of bottom up and top down work.
The group of sustainability advocates that is meeting quarterly from May 2007 to 2010, started by defining their sustainability values. See the section of the website on values and metrics for details.
Graduate students at the Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning program at UMASS Amherst have conducted research on sustainability definitions and indicators. See the section of this site on research for results of their work.
We are also going to be facilitating an art contest to create a physical representation of sustainability that is Pioneer Valley specific. See the section of the website on the art contest for details. Some defintions of sustainability that resonate for people involved with this project are:
Sustainability means: "Enough for all forever"
Sustainability means "meeting the needs of the present without jeopardizing future generations ability to meet their needs." (1987 United Nations Bruntland Report)
Sustainability means "meeting the needs of the present without jeopardizing future generations ability to meet their needs." (1987 United Nations Bruntland Report)
The list of weblinks includes many useful websites that also seek to define sustainability.
We welcome your involvement in the process of both defining sustainability and seeking to realize it here in the Pioneer Valley.
To get involved, please contact Catherine Miller at cmiller@pvpc.org or 413/781-6045.