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What is Sustainability?

The definition of sustainability depends on who you are talking to. While there are many commonalities in principles, values and language, each community ultimately must craft a sustainability definition that meets its unique needs. The following phrases and concepts were generated as part of an inaugural discussion on what sustainability means for Gabriolans. We will be refining these ideas to come up with a sustainability vision statement for Gabriola over the next few months.

  • A community that is interdependent, diverse, inclusive, equitable, balanced and self-reliant
  • A community in which all are connected and all participate, living within our ecological carrying capacity
  • Re-gear the economy to serve its original purpose – the common good – incorporating all ecological and social considerations
  • We want to sustain food, water, housing, air, wildlife, health, culture, spirituality, intact ecological systems
  • Be the balance of the carrying capacity of a healthy, mindful society and the environment
  • Rather than planning for today, plan for 7 generations from now
  • People taking care of each other and taking care of the environment in which we live
  • Spirituality/community
  • Responsibility not just to the individual but to the greater environment
  • Considering the cumulative impact of our actions
  • Balance
  • Making the best use of our resources to achieve the longest term benefit for the most people
  • Treat all resources as a precious gift
  • A sustainable community requires cohesion and diversity
  • An ability and willingness to meet your needs within the community
  • A complete community where people can live, work and play
  • Has mechanisms built in to build relationships and support cohesion
  • Intergenerational relationships
  • To sustain a thriving and diverse quality of life a plan would need to include discussion on: education issues/options; management of the environment, forest and water; food security; local based governance that includes diversity of values and sustains flexibility

If you are interested in how other communities have defined sustainability check out the links in Resources & Links

2009 Fall Fair

The following are comments received at the Sustainable Gabriola booth during the Fall Fair. There is a combination of suggestions as to what sustainability is and things we could do to be more sustainable. Many thanks to all who dropped by and shared their ideas.

  • Clean air
  • Equality for all
  • Preserving food
  • Green Party
  • Speaking out…..and being heard
  • Children are the future (and present)….educate them!!
  • Clean water
  • Do we share a vision?
  • Open-minded
  • More victory gardens
  • Moderation
  • Teach people to grow gardens; more food co-ops for lower income people
  • Long term
  • Less stuff
  • The future for the next generation
  • Community kitchen
  • Sharing resources
  • Having open minds and hearts
  • Leave as many trees standing as possible
  • Local currency; community way $$
  • Keep all agricultural lands – no subdivision
  • Driving less
  • “NO” cell or wireless towers!
  • Sharing water resources
  • Car stop a must
  • We need a bus! It can be done.
  • Back to basics
  • Sustainability, to me, means getting as much as possible on island or being self-sufficient.
  • Local dairy cow co-op.
  • Locally grown food and food product exchange co-op.