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Jim Johnston: Assessing sustainability in Springfield, IL
The State Journal-Register
April 28, 2012
Since Sustainable Springfield Inc. began on Earth Day 2007, the word “sustainable” has found its way into our collective mindset and is almost overused to describe the “green movement.” For something that had very little following just six years ago, its acceptance in our consciousness is remarkable.
A reminder of what it means might be in order, and the most widely held description is the UN’s Brundtland Commission of March 20, 1987: “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Another way of putting it is “the capacity to endure.”
As we honor the planet again for April’s Earth Day observances, a reflection of how well Springfield has embraced sustainability as well as a few suggestions for future courses of action might be in order, particularly at the local governmental level.
