Sustainability Task Force Report

April 1998 (position references updated 6/00)

The Task Force was charged with considering how existing LWVC positions relate to sustainability and sustainable communities.  After reviewing League positions—in Government, Natural Resources, and Social Policy (LWVC and LWVUS) and International Relations (LWVUS only)—the  Task Force concluded that the principle of sustainability is fundamental to League concerns and that League positions tend to support sustainability implicitly rather than explicitly.

Sustainability – What Is It?

Sustainability has many definitions, all having a common theme: meeting the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.  Recognizing the nature and complexity of the interdependence of the earth's systems and its inhabitants is fundamental to understanding the concept and for evaluating what is and what is not sustainable behavior.  Sustainability is understood to refer to conditions that promote a healthy, safe, and economically secure environment for people and all living things, and that do not exceed the limits of the earth to renew itself.

Sustainable behavior varies as do the local circumstances and problems, and so, in all likelihood, no two communities will develop identical sustainability programs.  The guiding principles for every sustainable community are: equitable treatment for its inhabitants, and consideration for the effect of its actions upon other communities, globally.  Each community must analyze its conditions, identify its needs, and select "indicators," factors critical to the well-being of the community, by which it can measure change and growth toward a sustainable existence.  Inclusion of all community stakeholders in selection of the indicators is the first step toward assuring equity in community planning.

Sustainability – Using League Positions

Sustainability is a concept that applies at all levels of League, and the concept is implicit in League Principles.  League positions often speak of preservation and conservation, of stewardship, of considering long-term benefits and meeting future needs.  Reference to "carrying capacity," as in LWVC: Water, #3d, is a way of indicating interdependencies and concern for sustainability.

The LWVUS Resource Management position (Impact on Issues) addresses relevant issues most specifically:

"Resource management decisions must be based on a thorough assessment of population growth and of current and future needs.  The inherent characteristics and carrying capacities of each area's natural resources must be considered in the planning process.  Policy makers must take into account the ramifications of their decisions on the nation as a whole as well as on other nations.

"To assure the future availability of essential resources, government policies must promote stewardship of natural resources.  Policies that promote conservation are a fundamental part of such stewardship.  Resources such as water and soil should be protected.  Consumption of nonrenewable resources should be minimized.  Beneficiaries should pay the costs for water, land and energy development projects.  Reclamation and reuse of natural resources should be encouraged.

"The League believes that protection and management of natural resources are responsibilities shared by all levels of government.  The federal government should provide leadership, guidance and financial assistance to encourage regional planning and decision making to enhance local and state capabilities for resource management.

"The League supports comprehensive long_range planning and believes that wise decision making requires:

P        adequate data and a framework within which alternatives may be weighed and intelligent decisions made;

P        consideration of environmental, public_health, social and economic impacts of proposed plans and actions;. . . ."

LWV Position Analysis

The goals and aims embodied in LWV positions are not ends in themselves.  Rather, League studies have been guided by the overarching principles of the national organization, which, as we have shown, are strongly consistent with those of sustainability; as are concern for fairness, justice, equity, and flexibility.

Specific League positions, state and national, applicable to sustainability are set forth in Appendix I.

LWV and Sustainability

In 1993, President Clinton created a nonpartisan President's Council on Sustainable Development, with "industry" and "environmental" co_chairs and broad representation from diverse communities. In their March 1996 report, Sustainable America, this group presented ten goal statements, which were identified as Elements of Sustainability.  Task Force members examined League positions in the light of these ten elements, which are listed below together with the Council's goal statements.  Following each topic and goal, the applicable LWVC and LWVUS positions are listed in italics, with LWVC positions listed first.

Elements of Sustainability, (U.S.) President's Council

HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Ensure that every person enjoys the benefits of clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment at home, at work, and at play.

(LWVC: Air Quality_In Brief; Hazardous Materials_In Brief; Solid Waste_In Brief; Transportation_In Brief; Water_In Brief. LWVUS: Natural Resources_In Brief.)

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. 

(LWVC: Children and Family Issues Action Policy; Education_#1b, #3, #6.  LWVUS: Social Policy_In Brief, Equality of Opportunity, Meeting Basic Human Needs, Urban Policy.   LWV_Principles)

EQUITY

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

(LWVC: Campaign Financing_In Brief; Constitution_In Brief; Redistricting_In Brief;  State & Local Finances_In Brief, #1a, #3, #4f, #7; Voting Rights_In Brief; Hazardous Materials_#8, #9; Land Use_In Brief; Transportation_In Brief;  Education_In Brief, #3e; Housing_In Brief; Legal Aid_In Brief.

LWVUS: Government_In Brief; Social Policy_In Brief, Equality of Opportunity.  LWV_Principles.)

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.

(LWVC: State & Local Finances-#10c; Agriculture_In Brief, Agricultural Land Preservation, Soil & Water Conservation; Air Quality_In Brief; Energy_In Brief; Hazardous Materials_In Brief; Land Use_In Brief; Solid Waste_In Brief; Transportation_In Brief; Water.  LWVUS: Natural Resources_In Brief; Resource Management; Environmental Protection and Pollution Control; Public Participation.  LWV_Principles)

STEWARDSHIP

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

(LWVC: Agriculture_Soil & Water Conservation-#4, #6; Air Quality-#2; Energy_In Brief; Hazardous Materials_#8, #9, #10; Land Use_In Brief; Solid Waste_#6; Water_In Brief, #1f, #3d, #4.  LWVUS: Natural Resources_In Brief, Resource Management, Environmental Protection & Pollution Control, Public Participation.    LWV_Visions, Beliefs.)

SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES^[1]

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.

(LWVC: Intergovernmental Relations_#1c; Land Use_In Brief, #1, #2, #5, #6; Transportation_In Brief, #1; Water-#1a, #3d; Children & Family Issues; Child Care_#1b, #1c; Education_#7, #9, #10; Housing_#7.  LWVUS: Government_In Brief, Agricultural Policy, Citizen Right to Know, Citizen Participation; Social Policy_In Brief, Early Intervention for Children at Risk, Equality of Opportunity, Health Care, Meeting Basic Human Needs, Urban Policy, Violence Prevention.   LWV_Principles; Visions, Beliefs.)

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.

(LWVC: Campaign Financing_#1, #2, #3; Constitution_In Brief; Initiative & Referendum Process_In Brief; Intergovernmental Relationships_In Brief; Redistricting_In Brief; Voting Rights_In Brief; Agriculture_#3d; Air Quality_#1d; Energy_#4; Hazardous Materials_#1; Land Use_In Brief; Solid Waste_#10; Transportation_In Brief, #2d, #4a, #6; Water_#1j, #5a; Education_In Brief, #7, #8d, #9e, #10; Housing_#3a, #7.   LWVUS: Government_In Brief; Natural Resources_Public Participation; Social Policy_Equality of Opportunity.  LWV_Principles; Visions, Beliefs.)

POPULATION

Move toward stabilization of U.S. population at a level consistent with the capacity of the local community, the state, the nation, and the earth to support its inhabitants.

(None on U.S. population policy but see LWVUS: International Development Assistance^[2]; Resource Management)

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

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

(LWVUS: Government_U.S. Relations with Developing Countries; International Relations_United Nations.  LWV_Principles.)

EDUCATION

Ensure that all Americans 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.

(LWVC: Intergovernmental Relations-#7; Voting Rights-#7; Air Quality-#1d; Hazardous Materials-#1, #4c; Solid Waste-#10; Transportation-#2d, #4a; Water-#1j; Education_In Brief, #1b, #3; Housing-#7.

LWVUS: Government_Citizen Right to Know, Citizen Participation; Natural Resources_Public Participation; Social Policy_Equality of Opportunity.)

Measuring Sustainability

Unless sustainability can be measured, claims of approaching danger or commendable progress cannot be substantiated.  For each component or element of sustainability, indicators can be chosen and expressed in quantifiable terms.  Many kinds of data applicable as indicators are already widely available.

For example, in the case of Health and the Environment, health can be measured in terms of life expectancy, mortality rates by age, incidence of specific diseases, etc.; the environment can be translated into number of days per period that air quality fails to meet a given standard; or the whole category can be captured by calculating the number of persons exposed to a given level of air pollution, the number of people whose drinking water fails to meet a specific standard, or the number of toxic exposures in an area, etc.  In the case of Education, literacy rate, graduation rates, percentage of students continuing on to higher education, and placement on standardized tests are all quantifiable.

When assessing a community's sustainability, the kind and number of measures used need to be decided locally, by concerned citizens who know the local area and its problems.  As an example, Oregon citizens have identified 259 measurable "benchmarks" that they use as their indicators of sustainability.  The benchmarks are differentiated into "urgent" and "core" groups. Urgent benchmarks for Oregon include number of fish in wild salmon runs and teenage pregnancy rates.  

The key is choosing indicators that can be measured, that are readily obtained, and that are meaningful to the local community.  The presence "at the table" of representatives from all sectors of the community is necessary to the success of whatever sustainable goals and programs are adopted.  With such measures, changes in sustainability, whether progress or decline, can be quantified and credibly reported to the public.

Sustainability as an Umbrella Position

Sustainability is an overarching concept that ties many League positions together and reiterates the overall goals of League programs.  Relating League positions to the Elements of Sustainability clarifies some interrelationships and common objectives.  For example, the following statement represents the relationship between Government positions (Intergovernmental Relationships) and Natural Resources positions (Agriculture):

Government at all levels should seek to reduce the compounding and threatening effects of urban sprawl on prime farmland.  States and localities can identify, and take strategic measures to protect, their prime farmland, including such policies as easements, zoning, taxation, financial incentives, and transportation.

(Notice, too, that strategic measures may bear on social and economic factors as, for example, adoption of urban growth boundaries.)

The following statement interrelates a number of Natural Resources positions:

Agricultural producers should implement integrated farming systems to ensure that agricultural activities maintain natural resources; and protect human health and environmental quality, including the quality of water, air, and soil.

Integration of positions to articulate interactions can make them more effective.

Gaps in Existing LWVC Positions re Sustainability

The Task Force was charged with identifying gaps in existing positions with respect to sustainability.  The two most apparent gaps identified are: (1) lack of a position on population, and (2) only weak implication of the need to consider the international/interstate/interregional impacts of decisions.  Furthermore, this position review in the context of sustainability has revealed that, in most areas of LWV positions, economic relationships and impacts are not specifically addressed.

Population: LWVC does not have a specific position on the impact of population growth and resource consumption on a sustainable future.  Although in LWVUS Resource Management (Impact on Issues) there is reference to "carrying capacity" and "thorough assessment of population growth" for purposes of planning, these and other mentions are not couched in the context of limitations.^[3]

International relations/ Inter-regional relations: California has two international borders, one with Mexico and one with the Pacific Ocean.  The LWVUS international relations positions are not vertical and mostly are concerned with military, trade, and relations with developing countries.  International responsibility is seen from the standpoint of U.S. as benefactor or mentor, not in terms of U.S. obligations to the world community.  "The League supports U.S. efforts to assist other nations in their population planning programs..."

The LWVC positions on natural resources sometimes include references to regional impacts, as, for example, air quality management within an air basin, and regional water resource management.  But the positions do not speak to interregion or interstate impacts and responsibility for considering regional impacts of local decisions.

In general, at both state and national levels, positions do not explicitly address California and/or U.S. responsibility, as members of the national/global community, to practice sustainably sound policies.

Equity and Economics: League positions addressing equity, mostly under Social Policy, are concerned with equitable access to basic human needs: health, housing, jobs, education, etc.  League tax policy is strongly in support of progressive, broad based revenue sources.  However, as we move in the direction of sustainable practices, for example, some form of full-cost accounting, the challege to maintain equity among the components of the diverse population becomes greater.  Failure to address economic impacts can impair efforts to promote equity.  Many League positions, as they are stated, are not helpful in guiding the hard choices to be made.

Economy: A more in-depth examination of the effects of reliance on market forces and voluntary compliance with environmental standards would help resolve apparent conflicts with League philosophy regarding governmental regulation.  For example, LWVC defense of the CEQA: Whereas voluntary compliance with regulations is always welcome, League has generally supported

mandatory programs and strict enforcement, viewing voluntary programs as less accountable and reliable.  League's position on similar sustainability measure(s) is unclear.

Conclusion

Concern for sustainability is consistent with League positions.  Support for sustainability is often implicit, and in some instances, explicit: LWVC has specific positions that support nine of ten identified elements of sustainability.  On the basis of current positions, Leagues can work for sustainable communities.  Support for sustainability would be strengthened by explicit positions on consumption, population, and local/state/national responsibility for sustainable practices. 

As a rule, League studies should be designed to recognize the interrelationships among the fields of governance, to minimize conflicts among, and to maximize the utility of, resulting positions.

Appendix I

State and National League Positions Consistent with Sustainability

The following LWV positions are clearly consistent with principles of sustainability.  The references have been taken from both national and state positions.

NATURAL RESOURCES

"Promote an environment beneficial to life...by recognizing the interrelationships  of air quality, energy, land use, waste management and water resources." (LWVUS position in brief)

Agriculture: "recognize agricultural land as a limited resource.......long term protection," "conservation of soil and water resources" (LWVC position in brief); "...environmentally sound farm practices, and increased reliance on the free market." (LWVUS position in brief); "...encourage a system of sustainable, regenerative agricultural production...includes promoting stewardship to preserve and protect the country's human and natural agricultural resources." (LWVUS Sustainable Agriculture)

Air Quality:  "..standards that will protect the public health and  welfare" (LWVC position in brief); "The cost of converting industry from  polluting to non_polluting practices should be borne primarily by  industry....."(#2); "A well developed mass transit system designed to  reduce automobile traffic should be established in all metropolitan areas of the state"(#4). 

Energy: "...promotes conservation,...development and use of... renewable energy sources, considers impacts of energy development and use on public health and safety and the environment." (LWVC position in brief); "...siting of energy facilities, that primarily consider impacts on public health and safety and the environment....consideration also ..to economic factors in evaluation of energy facility sites."

Hazardous Materials: "...maximum protection to human health and the environment...Hazardous materials planning should promote pollution prevention." (LWVC statement in brief); "...public has the right to know the potentially harmful effects of materials...Citizens should be included in the planning and decision making process..." (#1); "...promote source reduction, recycling and resource recovery, and regional solutions to hazardous waste disposal," (#3). 

Land Use: "..land use planning that recognizes land as a resource as well as a commodity....Citizens must have a meaningful participation in land use planning and regulation." (LWVC position in brief); "Environmental, social and economic impact statements should be required on major developments, public and private." (#2) "Local land use planning should be utilized as a means to determine how local communities should change and develop....Land use decisions should relate  to and protect the overall quality of the environment." (#5); "...government must provide for involvement of citizens in the earliest planning and regulatory stages and throughout the process..." (#6).

Resource Management: "Promote resource conservation, stewardship and long range planning..." (LWVUS position in brief); "Resource management decisions must be based on a thorough assessment of population growth and of current and future needs.  The inherent characteristics and carrying capacities of each area's natural resources must be considered in the planning process.  Policy makers must take into account the ramifications of their decisions on the nation as a whole as well as on other nations."  (LWVUS position); "..consideration of environmental, public-health, social and economic impacts of proposed plans and actions;" (LWVUS position).

Solid Waste: "...ensure environmentally sound and efficient solid waste management, ..reduce the generation of wastes,..encourage resource recovery,..increase ..demand for secondary materials."  (LWVC position in  brief,); "Regional solutions for solid waste disposal and recycling should be encouraged." "The primary goal of recycling is to forestall depletion of non_renewable natural resources." "All levels of government should encourage and support education on these issues." (#5,6,10)

Transportation: "..emphasis on increased public transportation services...to reduce vehicle miles traveled...serves all segments of the population and diverse geographic needs; .minimizes harmful effects on the environment; is integrated with land use..." (LWVC position in brief); "Transportation and land use planning should be integrated...through a jobs/housing balance..." (#1); "...analysis of costs and benefits of each alternative, and...consistency with regional and state transportation systems." (#1,d)

Water:  "...promote the management and development of water resources....beneficial to the environment.....emphasis on conservation" (#2e); "standards of water quality that are appropriate for the intended  use." (LWVC position in brief); "coordinate water resource planning with land use planning and provide for future needs without encouraging growth;" "protect the natural environment"; "preserve wild and scenic rivers;" "encourage water pricing policies which reflect development and delivery costs;" "encourage conservation ...through pricing policies..."  "increase water conservation and promote waste water reclamation..." (#1a,b,d, 4c, 5a, 6a)   

SOCIAL POLICY  "Promote social and economic justice, secure equal rights for all and  combat  discrimination and poverty."(LWVUS position in brief)

Children and Family Issues: "..caring for children is a societal as well as a family responsibility....integrate services that meet basic human needs...prevent or reduce poverty and promote self_sufficiency for individuals and families." (LWVC, position in brief); "quality child care responsive to diverse needs of children and their families should be available to all socio_economic groups on an ability to pay basis." (#1c); "provide community_wide development, coordination, and implementation of child care policies;" "include child care elements in General Plans and  redevelopment plans." (6b&f)

Education:  "...public education system which meets the needs of each individual student; challenges all students to reach their highest potential; develops patterns of lifelong learning and responsible citizenship." (LWVC, position in brief); "sufficient resources to provide all students with....exposure to broad common body of knowledge; appreciation and respect for one's own cultural heritage and that of  others; "(#3c&d) "responsibility at the local level for sustaining  community support and recognition for educators and education;" (5g); "responsibility at the level for an equitable funding system that encourages local control;" (6h); "formulating long range plans for the statewide education system; (8b);  "responsibility at the local level for  involvement of the community in the assessment of local educational needs and goals." (9c) 

Housing:  "...equal opportunity in housing...safe, decent, and adequate...affordable housing for all ..."; (LWVC, position in brief)  "...overall state plan for development with integration of housing, land use and transportation and with attention to factors such as natural resources and basic human needs."; "..encourages the use of density bonuses; mixed, cluster and inclusionary zoning; second units; infill development; air rights; and increased density along transportation  corridors." (#2,4c,)

GOVERNMENT:      "Promote an open governmental system that is representative, accountable and responsive; that has a fair and adequate fiscal basis; that protects individual liberties established by the Constitution; that assures opportunities for citizen participation in government decision making; that provides sound agricultural policy; and that preserves public health and safety through gun control measures.  "(LWVUS position in brief) Principles of sustainability are implicit in all Government positions that support: accountability, equal and fair representation, tax equity (fair sharing), accessibility, sufficiency, flexibility, long-range finance methods that meet current and future needs, and encouragement of informed, active public participation in a democratic society.

Equity - allocation of other funds from the state or local government on the basis of population; environmental, economic, and/or social impact." (LWVC, #3i)

Campaign Financing _ (all positions vertical) Position in Brief: Support state and campaign finance practices for candidates and advocates of ballot measure positions which will ensure full disclosure of campaign contributions and expenditures and enable candidates to compete more equitable for public office.  OF NOTE: #1 Public reporting of campaign contributions and expenditures by all candidates, #2 effective monitoring and enforcement, #3, 4 & 5 measures to broaden the base of campaign financing/tax credits/deductions; limits contributions and expenditures. 

Constitution _ (LWVC, not vertical) Position in Brief: Support measures to secure an orderly and simplified State Constitution; provisions which enable the Legislature to deal with state  problems efficiently, flexibly and with responsibility clearly fixed, and   constitutional guarantee of equal representation of all citizens in the state legislature.  OF NOTE:  #1b protect the rights of citizens  #1c  Legislature apportioned substantially on a population basis/reapportionment clearly designated  #1d safeguards in the public interest  #1e  flexibility for constitutional amendments or revision #2 _Ensures flexibility to meet changing conditions #3,4,5 _ ensures equity, clarity, orderliness.

Initiative and Referendum Process _ (some positions vertical) Position in Brief:  supports citizens right of direct legislation through the initiative and referendum process  Subheadings of #1) Retain referendum and direct initiative #2) indirect   initiative option #3) Drafting #4) Qualification #5) Campaign #6) Election #7) Post_Election OF NOTE:  #1 & 2 protects direct initiative and alternatives #3 Drafting _ overview authority in place; single issues #4a Qualification - ensures equity #4b filing fee _ equity #4c fair geographic representation  #5 Campaign - provides for limits on campaign expenditures and contributions; no public financing for initiative and referendum campaigns; public hearings; pamphlets written for understanding by average voter - all equitable   #6b majority rule.

Intergovernmental Relationships _ (all vertical) Position in Brief: Support an efficient, effective and equitable balance of responsibility and authority among the levels of government with accountability to the public.  

Public Libraries _ all vertical except:  #2b continue the use of volunteers to supplement paid staff Position in Brief: Support a public library system as a basic community service with a long_term, assured, stable and adequate funding source. Support access by all persons to public library services as a major source of knowledge and information necessary for informed, active participation in a democratic society.

Redistricting _ (some vertical)  Position in Brief: Support a state redistricting process and standards that promote fair and effective representation in the state legislature and in the house of representatives with maximum opportunity for public scrutiny. Support of a bipartisan commission as the preferred redistricting body.

Reproductive Choices _ (vertical)  Position in Brief:  Protect the Constitutional right of privacy of the individual to make reproductive choices.

State and Local Finances _ (some vertical) Overall, this position supports horizontal and vertical equity, fair sharing of tax burden, accountability, accuracy, accessibility, sufficiency, flexibility, simplicity.  Position in Brief:  Support measures to ensure revenues both sufficient and flexible enough to meet changing needs for state and local government services; that contribute to a system of public finance which emphasizes equity and fair sharing of the tax burden as well as adequacy; which include long_range finance methods that meet current and future needs while taking   into account the cumulative impact of public debt.  Subheadings are consistent with sustainability issues: #1) State and Local Government Finance System, #2) Adequacy of Revenue, #3) Equity, #4) Flexibility of Revenue, #5)State and Local Government Processes #6) Long Term Debt Financing; #7) Property Tax _ equity, broad tax base, sound assessments OF NOTE Position in Brief:  sufficient and flexible... emphasizes equity and fair sharing of the tax burden as well as adequacy...long_range finance methods that meet current and future needs...  #3 EQUITY _ to assure fair sharing of the tax burden by: #3c a preference for tax expenditures which 1) contribute to tax equity; 2) are in the interest if the general public and not just a specific group; 3) provide social benefits which significantly outweigh the increased tax burden to others; 4) simplify tax administration #3d exemption from the sales tax for basic needs (food, prescription drugs, baseline utility costs; repair and services) #3f responsibility for funding health and welfare services #3i _ allocation of other funds from the state or local government on the basis of population;   environmental, economic, and/or social impact; need for service and revenue raising ability #4 FLEXIBILITY OF REVENUE #4f public program and funding priorities which give primary consideration to meeting the basic needs of the general population, attaining program objectives economically, and using procedures which promote flexibility and permit diversity of services.

Voting Rights _ (vertical) Position in Brief:  Support Measures which will protect every citizen's right to vote and which will ensure governments's responsibility to protect this right through regulations and procedures that encourage an informed and active electorate.