Sustainable Community

“Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without

compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”1

As advances in medicine continue life expectancy rates increase as well giving to a new way of thinking when it comes to the environment and how we as humans coincide with our the only planet we are given and our capacity not only to survive but thrive.  Over the past three decades a shifting to a new frame of thinking has come about.  The early efforts of pro-environment movement which involved using environmentally friendly products as well as eco conscious manufacturing and agricultural methods driven by environmental policies to protect some of Earth’s precious and for the most part non-replenishable resources.  Unfortunately the movement was one dimensional and didn't address protecting Earth’s most precious commodity, the human being.  At the root of societies successes and failures is the human element and without addressing our basic needs for food, water, good shelter, sanitation, education and healthcare the pro-environment movement reached a point of reduced momentum.  Recognizing the need for a more holistic approach to further support environmental consciousness the idea of sustainability came about. Over the years sustainability has been define and redefine however in the most recent few years sustainable development has hit new plateaus.  I think this is due to the amount of information that can be accessed by the internet and increased local and federal support and participation.  When applied correctly sustainability encompasses it all and seeks to improve environmental, economical and social issues all at one time.  As sustainability relates to the community this has been said “sustainability … cannot be simply a ‘green’, or ‘environmental’ concern, important though ‘environmental’ aspects of sustainability are.  A truly sustainable society is one where wider questions of social needs and welfare, and economic opportunity are integrally related to environmental limits…”2

Green Impact Zone of Missouri is the perfect example how using sustainability can transform a doomed community.   The initiative includes housing rehab and weatherization programs, community policing and services, job training and placement, and health and wellness programs, all built around a comprehensive neighborhood outreach program and using sustainability as a catalyst for this transformation.

Community awareness and involvement is at the center of this endeavor.  Easily displayed on every page of the website is a resident tab that opens a page that houses every key contact that can includes a contact name, number, website and email address for every Green Impact Zone initiative.  Each neighborhood’s meeting date, time, location and key contact can also be found on this page.  The fact that the residents have access to the people and services that affect their lives is key to the programs impact and success.  The only major problem is that there is a strong possibility that the residents might not have access to the internet to readily obtain this information.

Neighborhood meeting

Projects of the GIZ are very modest and basic in nature to the point that they are often disregarded by decision makers who often have never or no longer live in the areas they represent.  This is not the case in K.C., Mo. The areas focused on by GIZ are important community builders and stabilization factors of a neighborhood and are long over do for reform and repair.  Here is a list of the some the current projects and programs that are change this community and ultimately improving the quality of for all Kansas City residents.

                                                                          Transportation Infrastructure                                                    

 

Energy Conservation

Job Training

Leadership Development

Youth

Housing

Urban Agriculture

1.  Joel Mills “The Civics of Sustainability An Overview”   2.  Agyeman, J, Bullard R and Evans, B (2002) ‘Exploring the nexus: bringing together sustainability, environmental justice and equity.’ Space and Polity Vol. 6 No. 1 pp 70-90. 3. www.edf.org 4.http://www.evandtec.com/solutions/envirotower-how-it-works.html

Sustainable Electricity

There are always innovation with how we can protect our environment and still produce power which is essential in today’s world to sustain our way of life.  Over the past decade there has been a push to find a better way, a smarter way, for us to consume and tract our energy consumption.  Thus the idea for a "smart grid" has been introduced within the past ten years.

So you might be asking, what is a smart grid?  Truth is you probably have been using smart grid devises such as smart meters (digital meters) and smart thermostats for years and haven't known it.  The idea of the smart grid is that it will reduce the amount of greenhouse gas produced from traditional methods or energy production and save the consumers money. A smart grid is a digitalized energy delivery network that transmits a two-way flow of electricity and information. Monitoring everything from the power source to specific measurements of consumer usage, including individual appliances.3 With this continuous feedback and extensive control provided by the smart grid the home should be much more efficient and ultimately use less electricity.  In fact, for the savvy power user whose home produces some of its on power the grid would buy back any extra energy not being used.  This would apply to homes that use solar panels or any other renewable source the homeowner produces. 

                                                          

source:http://www.edf.org/energy/infographic-smart-grid-basics

Right now Austin is setting a standard on how smart grid technology can be integrated into our communities by building its own smart grid neighborhood.  It's a bold step in making this a living incubator for ideas and technology that will change the industry.  A goal of the collaboration between Pecan Street, Environmental Defense Fund, Austin Energy and the University of Texas is to reduce carbon emissions by 64% compared to an average Austin neighborhood.

  

Oppositions

Some unofficial studies have been done which shows that the smart meters emit toxic levels of microwave radiation due to the meters WiFi components. These components allow it to be in constant connection with the home's devices and the mesh network.  Supporters say the opposite and suggest cell phones expose us to more radio frequencies than the smart meters do.  

Another opposition is that some markets never gave the public the option of whether or not they wanted this data collecting technology in their homes.  They feel that this is an invasion of their privacy. 

So there are some items that still need to be addressed but this could very well be a good thing for the world.