Global and Historical Perspective

Nations of the world first began to recognize the need for global environmental planning in 1972 when 70 governments met in Stockholm, Sweden for a conference - out of which was born the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Soon UNEP and the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) began to mount an environmental education campaign. In 1984, UNEP helped to publish the World Conservation Strategy - a forerunner of Agenda 21. However, the question of development was still not adequately addressed, so the United Nations appointed a World Commission on Environment and Development which produced a report called Our Common Future. Then for the first time, "sustainable development" was defined as "meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own [needs]."1

In June, 1992, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), popularly known as the "Earth Summit," took place in Rio de Janeiro, bringing together world leaders to focus on environment and development issues. The most substantial document to come out of the Earth Summit is called Agenda 21, a guide and world-plan, agreed upon by 179 nations of the world including our own, for what must be done to live sustainably as we move into the 21st century.

"Agenda 21 addresses the pressing problems of today and also aims at preparing the world for the challenges of the next century. It reflects a global consensus and [political commitment at the highest level] on development and environment cooperation. Its successful implementation is first and foremost the responsibility of Governments. National strategies, plans, policies and processes are crucial in achieving this. International cooperation should support and supplement such national efforts. In this context, the United Nations system has a key role to play. Other international, regional and sub-regional organizations are also called upon to contribute to this effort. The broadest public participation and the active involvement of the non-governmental organizations and other groups should also be encouraged." 2 [Emphasis added.]

Chapter 28 of Agenda 21 specifically calls for each community to formulate its own Local Agenda 21. The process suggested is that representatives from all strategic areas come together to give definition to "sustainability" on the local level and support plans and projects that will lead the community in that direction.

"Local authorities construct, operate and maintain economic, social and environmental infra- structure, oversee planning processes, establish local environmental policies and regulations, and assist in implementing national and sub-national environmental policies. As the level of governance closest to the people, they play a vital role in educating, mobilizing and responding to the public to promote sustainable development."

"Each local authority should enter into a dialogue with its citizens, local organizations and private enterprises and adopt 'a local Agenda 21.' Through consultation and consensus-building, local authorities would learn from citizens and from local, civic, community, business and industrial organizations and acquire the information needed for formulating the best strategies."3

Following the Earth Summit, the United Nations set up the U.N. Commission on Sustainable Development to monitor progress spawned by that momentous gathering. Many communities around the world have initiated local Agenda 21 plans for sustainable development. The International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), based in Toronto, Canada, is tracking these initiatives and offering support. Under the Clinton administration, the United States formed a President's Council on Sustainable Development, which developed recommendations for a national sustainable development action strategy plan. Their report, published in February, 1996, is entitled, "Sustainable America - A new Consensus for the Future." With the support of the President's Council and federal financial assistance, the National Association of Counties and the U.S. Council of Mayors have established a joint Center for Sustainable Communities to facilitate collaborative planning.

What has been the global response to the concept of "Sustainability"?

The global movement for "sustainability" is strong. Some 150 countries have established National Councils on sustainable development or similar bodies. More than 1,800 communities have created local Agenda 21 plans, though mostly in just 11 countries and principally in Europe. In the United States we are one of just 19 communities that have created a sustainability campaign, however many other communities are involved with sustainable development projects and activities.

What is "Sustainability"? What constitutes a "Sustainable Community"?

The terms "sustainability" and "sustainable development" are increasingly being used by the United Nations and on the national, state, city, community, and individual level to help us think about the major challenges that confront us as we plan for our common future. The definitions used for the purposes of this "Local Agenda 21" are taken from the official UN definition, stated on page i, paragraph 1. From that definition we deduce that:

A "sustainable community" is one in which the inhabitants practice a lifestyle that will meet the needs of the present life in that community without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

A "sustainable society" is one that can persist over generations, one that is far-seeing enough, flexible enough, and wise enough not to undermine either its physical or its social systems of support.

-Sustainability' literally means - the ability to maintain oneself over time. It simply has to do with continuing life on the planet ... and hopefully, not merely surviving, but actually thriving into the 21st century! Sustainability, most everyone would agree, is the only viable legacy, but how do we achieve it?

To achieve a sustainable future, we must balance concerns for ecological health, economic vitality, and social equity. "Sustainable development" rests squarely on these three pillars. Each will be addressed in detail within the 12 Special Focus Areas of this "Local Agenda 21" Action Plan, as they pertain to Santa Cruz County. It is the consensus of this Coalition to note the interrelationship between these three pillars (environmental, economic, and social) and the synergism that ensues from the collaboration between all strategic areas within this document.

Does "sustainable development" mean growth? The dictionary defines growth as an increase in physical size, while development means "to realize the potentialities of, to bring to a fuller, greater or better state." Simply put, growth means to get 'bigger,' while development means to get 'better.' According to Donella Meadows, co-author of The Limits to Growth and Beyond the Limits, "The planet Earth develops, diversifies, and evolves. It does not grow. The same must ultimately be true of human economy, if it is to be sustained on and by this planet. Sustainable growth is neither desirable nor possible. But sustainable development, providing more services to human beings while putting less load on the environment, is entirely possible, if we develop the words to talk about it, understand it, act on it, and bring it into being."4

A sustainable society must maintain informational, social, and institutional mechanisms to keep in check the positive feedback loops that cause exponential population and (physical) capital growth... In order to be socially sustainable the combination of population, capital, and technology in the society would have to be configured so that the material living standard is adequate and secure for everyone. In order to be physically sustainable the society's material and energy throughputs would have to meet economist Herman Daly's three conditions:

• Its rates of use of renewable resources do not exceed their rates of regeneration.
• Its rates of use of nonrenewable resources do not exceed the rate at which sustainable renewable substitutes are developed.
• Its rate of pollution emission does not exceed the assimilative capacity of the environment.5

Goals of our "Local Agenda 21"

• To articulate a comprehensive vision and realistic framework for establishing "sustainability" in Santa Cruz County and beyond.
• To identify the challenges in meeting these goals and the possible actions, plans, programs, or restructuring needed to overcome the barriers.
• To serve as a official policy guide, expanding upon the goals of City and County General Plans and Referendums. Further appropriate legislative proposals will be put forth to aid in the implementation process.
• To build a network and cooperative base in which to incubate new productive partnerships.
• To highlight the many wonderful existing projects, programs, and initiatives happening in our county.
• To serve as a model for other communities as they strive to implement the global Agenda 21.

Purpose and Focus of our "Local Agenda 21":

It is our underlying purpose to make long-term sustainability the driving criterion in every area of human activity and simultaneously alter these human activities for the better. This will require shifting our consciousness away from seeking only short-term solutions and toward consideration of long-term consequences. It will require programs and projects designed to cultivate conditions and activities that are caring, just, and rich in opportunities available to all people (i.e. humane); and living practices - individual and shared - that can be fruitfully utilized for generations without diminishing our environment, society, or the web of life they support (i.e. sustainable).

Our central focus is not merely on what is wrong today, but rather what practical steps and useful insights can lead us into a better tomorrow "Sustainable" development must bring about the improvement in the quality of life for all (including the entire web of life).

"Our Common Future reminds us that, whatever may be our individual aspirations, whatever may be our national or cultural identities, that we are first and foremost earthlings, that our future is absolutely and inextricably bound together. We cannot pursue our futures solely as isolated individuals or as isolated sovereign nations today. We have to work together, our future is truly a common future on this planet, and it depends on the way in which we work together and cooperate together in ensuring that our planet - Earth - will remain a congenial and a viable and hospitable home for the entire human species and indeed for the other forms of life that inhabit our planet."

Maurice Strong,

General Secretary of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, 1992

NOTE:

This document reflects a collaboration of suggestions and documentation from a diverse group of individuals and groups and does not necessarily represent the views of any particular individual or group. Decisions and wording reached at the two local S.E.E.D. Summits, Round Table meetings, and subsequent dialogues were reached through consensus of those participating and were approved by experts in each field.

1. Our Common Future, World Commission on Environment & Development, Oxford University Press, 1987.

2. Agenda 21, (Ch. 1.3), U. N. Conference on Environment & Development, June 3 - 14, 1992, United Nations, N.Y

3. Agenda 21, Chapter 28, sections 1 and 3.

4. Donella H. Meadows, syndicated columnist and founder of the Global Citizen, Box 58, Plainfield, NH, 03781

5. Beyond the Limits, Donella Meadows, et al, pgs. 209-210