SUSTAINABILITY ~~ BASIC TO LIFE AND LEAGUE

The concept of sustainability is inherent in LWV positions, an unspoken presumption underlying many positions. The need to be sustainable is not new, nor is League's recognition of its importance. What is new is using the word "sustainability" as an umbrella term to represent League's ongoing concern for tomorrow as well as today and to reflect the interdependencies among League positions.

"Sustainability" refers to the dynamic among ecological, economic, and social systems on a global scale. It asks us to attend to interactions among positions in different program areas. League positions speak of preservation and conservation, of stewardship, of considering long-term benefits and meeting future needs. Referring to "carrying capacity" is another way of talking about interdependencies and sustainability.

Support for sustainability exists in current League positions, although often implicit rather than explicit:

With respect to government, positions support policies that promote equity, flexibility, and responsibility so that democratic government is encouraged and protected (i.e., political sustainability).

With respect to natural resources, positions support their protection and wise management "in the public interest" to "promote an environment beneficial to life" (i.e., environmental sustainability).

With respect to social policy, positions promote the equity, justice, education, and nurturing essential to sustaining society (i.e., social sustainability).

Sustainable communities recognize an interdependence with the global community and seek to meet current economic, environmental, and social demands through equitable and democratic means without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

More specifically, sustainable communities have levels of pollution, consumption, and population size that are in keeping with regional carrying capacity: their members share an ethic of responsibility to one another and to future generations; the prices of their goods and services reflect the full social and environmental costs of their provision and disposal; their systems of governance and leadership encourage democratic deliberation; and their design of markets, transport, land use, and architecture enhances neighborhood livability and preserves ecological integrity. Sustainability is basic to our future and our League.

-- Sally A. Seven. President, League of Women Voters of Los Angeles County [an ILO]