===================================================================== Center for Community Economic Development University of Wisconsin-Extension Community Economics Newsletter No. 291 January 2001 ===================================================================== A Newsletter from the Center for Community Economic Development; Community,Natural Resource and Economic Development Programs, and University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension Service ===================================================================== Economic Renewal Guide /1 by Michael J. Kinsley Rocky Mountain Institute This months Community Economics takes a slightly different approach. I'm going to share some notes from RMI's publication related to sustainable community economic development. Some people argue that growth is inevitable, but if we think in terms of human development after reaching physical maturity, humans continue to develop in many beneficial and interesting ways: learning new skills, gaining deeper wisdom, cultivating new relationships. Similarly, a community can develop itself without necessarily expanding. It can create affordable housing, protect public safety, improve employment, health, and cultural and educational opportunities. (RMI, p.1) Sustainable Development is stewardship or the careful, economical, long-term management of land, community, and resources. … When placed in front of ‘development’ the word ‘sustainable’ offers both opportunities and constraints. It offers opportunities because its new perspective reveals development options that previously weren’t obvious. … It offers constraints because, when proposals are considered in light of their long-term effects, some options that might otherwise appear attractive are seen to be unworkable or not worth their negative effects. … There’s no standard way to achieve sustainable development. Every community’s situation is unique. Perhaps more importantly is that no point at which a community arrives at sustainability -- it’s a goal, a moving target that requires a community to continually learn about itself, its external influences, and emerging opportunities. (RMI, pp.7-8) Here are some guidelines that not every community will fit, but can be used in move towards sustainability. Use renewable resources no faster than they can be renewed, especially important for communities that are natural resource dependent ­ lumber, ore, farming, fish. Use non-renewable resources understanding that someday a renewable resource will be required—the mining ghost town that becomes a tourist mecca. Not that mining should stop, but be aware that it will eventually Seek ways to strengthen the economy without increasing ‘throughput’ ­ any material process has inputs & outputs, the sum of which is throughputs. ­ maybe the way to do this is not increasing throughput but adding value to output. Focus more on getting better, less on getting bigger ­ don’t necessarily have to expand. Seek development that increases diversity and self-reliance ­ Put waste to work ­ waste is simply a misplaced resource. Innovative businesses and communities are finding less expensive ­ even profitable ­ ways to reuse, recycle, or biodegrade discarded materials. Consider the effects of today’s decisions on future generations ­ Consider the off-site effects of decisions ­ indirect, unintended consequences of decisions. Consider the cumulative effects of a series of decisions -- decision in isolation may be ok, but when link to future possible decisions not really. Measure whether actions actually do what they are intended to do ­ look at big picture, playing careful attention to underlying causes & effects, and listen to feedback. (RMI, pp. 8-13.) Often most proposals are not nice and neatly wrapped up and will or won’t be sustainable, but what community needs to ask itself on each and every development proposal is will it move us toward or away form sustainable development, and if it won’t how can we make it do that. Sustainable Development: (RMI, p.16) Redefines prosperity, weighing quality of life, community characteristics and environment alongside economic considerations; Seeks true development, in the sense of getting better, instead of expansion, which is merely getting bigger; Advocates the long-term stewardship of community resources, ensuring that present actions don’t erode the basis for future prosperity; Pursues self-reliance and a more democratic approach to decision making, representing community-wide interests over those of an elite few; Stresses diversity, resilience, and a conviction that many small efforts work better than a single-one-size-fits-all solution. Community is the foundation for prosperity. Economic Development efforts in most successful in towns where residents work together for the common good, and where controversy isn’t avoided, but accommodated and channeled constructively. A community where locals have met, argued, and agreed, and organized to revitalize their economy is far more attractive to someone looking for a place to locate their business that a town desperately grasping for any business to which it can sell itself. (RMI, p. 39) Collaborative decision-making is the basis for rebuilding trust and respect that may have been marred by years of wear and tear; it’s a way to replace boring or painful meetings with fun and creative ones; it’s the vehicle by which people who have been ignored can fully participated. Collaboration makes it possible to discuss innovative ideas … it’s a way to incorporate community values into the decisions that otherwise be dominated by a small elite. (RMI, p.40) 1Drawn from Economic Renewal Guide, published by Rocky Mountain Institute, Old Snowmass, CO. http://www.rmi.org Ron Shaffer Community Development Economist Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8, and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Carl O'Connor, Cooperative Extension, University of Wisconsin-Extension. University of Wisconsin-Extension, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Wisconsin counties cooperating. UW-Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title IX and ADA.