RonaldG.Dodson

2014 

TheSustainabilityCampaign

The Sustainability Campaign is an effort to introduce the concepts associated with sustainability to businesses, universities, governments and not-for-profit organizations and inspire them to action in the form of sustainable planning, development and management and to create a Network for a Sustainable America that will showcase the efforts of all that are involved. 

ICS‐Audubon 35246 Hwy 19 #299 

Palm Harbor, FL 34684] 727‐733‐0762 

The Sustainability Campaign

On The Brink!

The International Sustainability Council-Audubon Lifestyles (ISC-Audubon) is a

non-profit coalition of thought-leaders dedicated to advancing environmental,

social and economic sustainability.

We are striving for a life-sustaining Earth. We are committed to the achievement

of a dignified, peaceful and equitable existence. As a global leader, we will foster

a sustainable United States that will have a growing economy that provides

equitable opportunities for satisfying livelihoods and a safe, healthy, high quality

life for current and future generations. Our nation will protect and enhance its

environment, its natural resource base, and the functions and viability of natural

systems on which all life depends. The United States will lead the way toward a

more sustainable Earth.

The ISC-Audubon believes that as a culture, we are: On the Brink! We are either

on the brink of a series of global disasters, or we are on the brink of taking actions

that could literally save life on Earth as we know it.

The Sustainability Campaign is an effort to introduce the concepts associated

with sustainability to businesses, universities, governments and not-for-profit

organizations and inspire them to action. ISC-Audubon and therefore the

Sustainability Campaign is based on the ISC Principles of Sustainability.

The Origins of the ISC Principles of Sustainability

The United Nations (UN) Conference on Environment and Development, also

known as the Rio Summit or Earth Summit was a major United Nations conference

held in Rio de Janeiro from June 3 to June 14, 1992. 172 governments

participated, with 108 sending their heads of state or government. Some 2,400

representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) attended, with 17,000

people at the parallel NGO Forum, who had so-called Consultative Status. An

important achievement was an agreement on the Climate Change Convention

which in turn led to the Kyoto Protocol. Another was agreement to "not carry out

any activities on the lands of indigenous peoples that would cause environmental

degradation or that would be culturally inappropriate.” The Convention on

Biological Diversity was held during the Earth Summit, and made a start towards

redefinition of money supply measures that did not inherently encourage

destruction of natural Ecoregions and economic growth that was considered to be

unsustainable.

The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) is a research program that focuses

on ecosystem changes over the course of decades, and projecting those changes

into the future. It was launched in 2001 with support from the United Nations by

the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Initiated in 2001, the objective of the MA

was to assess the consequences of ecosystem change for human well-being and the

scientific basis for action needed to enhance the conservation and sustainable use

of those systems and their contribution to human well-being. The MA has involved

the work of more than 1,360 experts worldwide. Their findings, contained in five

technical volumes and six synthesis reports, provide a state-of-the-art scientific

appraisal of the condition and trends in the world’s ecosystems and the services

they provide (such as clean water, food, forest products, flood control, and natural

resources) and the options to restore, conserve or enhance the sustainable use of

ecosystems.

ISC-Audubon is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing

understanding of the relationships among ecological, social and economic systems

for the mutual benefit of people and the environment. This is achieved by forging

partnerships with governmental agencies, universities, businesses and not-for-

profit organizations that resulted in the development the Principles of

Sustainability based in part upon the findings of the United Nations and the

Millennium Ecosystem Assessment.

In addition, activities supported by ISC-Audubon are: continuing research,

education and the production educational and literary works. These actions are

used as the basis for sustainable demonstration projects connected to sustainable

community planning, development and management. The ISC Principles of

Sustainability was developed from a culmination of discussions and thought

processes by the ISC Council.

To achieve a vision based in sustainability, some things must grow – jobs,

productivity, wages, capital and savings, profits, information, knowledge and

education – and others – pollution, waste, and poverty – must not. Change is

inevitable and necessary for the sake of future and present generations. We can

choose a course for change that will lead to the mutually reinforcing goals of

economic growth, environmental protection, and social equity. Steady progress in

reducing disparities in education, opportunity and environmental risk within

society is essential to economic growth, environmental health and social justice.

The United States has made some good progress in protecting the environment in

the last 25 years and must continue to make progress in the next 25 years. We can

achieve that goal because market incentives and the power of consumers can lead

to significant improvements in environmental performance at less cost. Economic

growth based on technological innovation, improved efficiency and expanding

global markets is essential for progress toward greater prosperity, equity and

environmental quality.

Environmental regulation and governance while somewhat improved a few

decades ago needs to become much more creative and vibrant. Continuing

advancement is required to improve the lives of all Americans. Basic standards of

performance that are clear, fair and consistently enforced remain necessary to

protect that progress. The current regulatory system should be improved to deliver

required results at lower costs. In addition the regulatory system should provide

enhanced flexibility in return for superior environmental and economic

performance.

Environmental progress will depend on individual, institutional and corporate

responsibility, commitment and stewardship. We need new collaborative decision

making processes that lead to better decisions more rapid change; and more

sensible use of human, natural and financial resources in achieving stated goals.

The nation must strengthen its communities and enhance their role in decisions

about environment, equity, natural resources and economic progress so that the

individuals and institutions most immediately affected can join with others in the

decision making process. Economic growth, environmental protection and social

equity are linked. We need to develop integrated policies to achieve these national

goals. The United States should have policies and programs that contribute to

stabilizing global human population; this objective is critical if we hope to have the

resources needed to ensure a high quality of life for future generations.

The United States and all of society must take reasonable actions to avert risks and

repair harm to human health or the environment as expressed in the Millennium

Ecosystem Assessment. Steady advances in science and technology are essential

to help improve economic efficiency, protect and restore natural systems and

modify consumption patterns.

A growing economy and healthy environment are essential to local, national and

global security. A knowledgeable public, the free flow of information and

opportunities for review and redress are critically important to open, equitable and

effective decision making. Citizens must have access to high-quality and lifelong

formal and non-formal education that enables them to understand the

interdependencies of economic prosperity, environmental quality and social equity

and prepares them to take actions that support all three.

Sustainability Campaign 10 Goals

Goal 1: Economic Prosperity

Sustain a healthy U.S. economy that grows sufficiently to create meaningful jobs, reduce poverty, and provide the opportunity for a high quality of life for all in an increasingly competitive world.

Goal 2: Health and the Environment

Ensure that every person is committed to personal health and enjoys the benefits of clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment at home, at work and at play

Goal 3: Equity

Ensure that all Americans are afforded justice and have the opportunity to achieve economic, environmental and social well-being.

Goal 4: Conservation of Nature

Use, conserve, protect and restore natural resources – land, air, water, and biodiversity – in ways that help ensure long-term social, economic and environmental benefits for ourselves and future generations.

Goal 5: Stewardship

Create a widely held ethic of stewardship that strongly encourages individuals, institutions and corporations to take full responsibility for the environmental, economic and social consequences of their actions.

Goal 6: Sustainable Communities

Encourage people to work together to create healthy communities where natural and historic resources are preserved, jobs are available, sprawl is contained, neighborhoods are secure, education is lifelong, transportation and health care are accessible, and all citizens have opportunities to improve the quality of their lives.

Goal 7: Civic Engagement

Create full opportunity for citizens, businesses, and communities to participate in and influence the natural resource, environmental, and economic decisions that affect them.

Goal 8: Population

Advocate a move toward stabilization of U.S. and global population.

Goal 9: International Responsibility

Take a leadership role in the development and implementation of global sustainable development policies, standards of conduct, trade and foreign policies that further the achievement of sustainability as expressed in the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment.

Goal 10: Education

Ensure that all American have equal access to education and lifelong learning opportunities that will prepare them for meaningful work, a high quality of life and an understanding of the concepts involved in sustainability.

The ISC Council Barbaran, Francisco PhD., National Research Council - Argentina Crispin, William Esq. Hendrix & Crispin - Florida Dodson, Ronald G, M.S., ISC Chairman - New York Dodson, R. Eric Dodson, Audubon Lifestyles - Florida Gibeault, Vic PhD. University of California, Riverside - California Harivandi, Ali PhD. University of California, Davis - California Hendrix, Noble MD. Hendrix & Crispin - Florida Herbert, Jack, Cold Climate Housing Research Center - Alaska Hoiberg, Steve, Siemens Industry, Inc. Nebraska Jandt, Fred PhD. University of California, San Bernardino – California Jones, Pierce PhD. University of Florida - Florida Jones, Stephen B. PhD. Antioch University - New Hampshire Love, Bill, AIA, AICP. W.R. Love Golf Design Maryland Lewis, Carol PhD. University of Alaska - Alaska Sebastian, Mike, APGG Singapore Snow, James T. United States Golf Association - New Jersey Stewart, Dale, P.E. LandDesign - North Carolina Wang, Eddie AIA. GLC Company - California Woolbright, Larry PhD. Siena College - New York

http://www.isc-audubon.org