Sustainability

There are lots of buzzwords out there including "growing green", “smart growth”, "eco communities" and "sustainability" that describe individual, organizational and community efforts to reduce energy consumption, reduce waste and increase quality of life. With concerns about oil dependence, global warming and other environmental issues, it is no wonder sustainable communities are becoming the new fad! However, is it a fad?

For me, I think not. I believe there is a much greater societal consciousness today about our environment and that people are willing to do something about it. In Indianola, for example, Mayor Kelley is forming a citizen/staff committee to review methods of improving Indianola's quality of life by looking at energy use, building codes, transportation systems and many more issues that affect our daily lives, and just as importantly, the lives of future citizens.

I will continue to update this blog as to the city's progress on sustainability which is best defined as "meeting a community's needs today without compromising the needs of the community tomorrow".

I truly believe sustainability, smart growth and growing green are one of the biggest challenges facing cities today. Our future depends on how we all deal with these issues.