What is a Sustainable Community?
A sustainable Lake Oswego is a community that meets the vital human needs of the present without compromising our ability to meet future needs. This requires consideration of both long-term and short-term effects on ecological, economic, and community systems. Operating sustainably means that we are leaving a legacy for the community of Lake Oswego and the planet.
Why in Lake Oswego?
The City of Lake Oswego recognizes that local government plays a vital role in fostering sustainability and is committed to adopting, implementing, and maintaining sustainable practices.
The City is part of a worldwide movement to create a more sustainable future. Key global mileposts include the creation of the World Commission of Environment and Development (the Brundtland Commission), the Rio Earth Summit of the United Nations, the U.S. President's Council report on Sustainable Development, the World Summit on Sustainable Development, and establishment of the United Nations Division on Sustainable Development. To learn more about the global sustainability movement, click here for related links and resources.
Closer to home, the State of Oregon, several Oregon cities and counties, business leaders, and non-profits are advancing sustainable development, with the concept gaining widespread support among many sectors. To learn more about state, regional, and local efforts, just follow the links. Here in Lake Oswego, the City Council has included sustainability in its adopted goals since 2002.
The Council's Goal for 2009 addressing sustainability is to:
Promote and incorporate sustainable principles and practices in all City programs, policies, and services.
