SUSTAINABLE RI
How do we meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs?

“Sustainable” is working and living in ways that can continue for generations. An example of a sustainable practice is meeting our energy needs from clean, renewable sources, such as wind and solar power. Practices that work for future generations encompass many aspects of our lives: the air we breath, water we drink and foods we eat, the homes we live in, the buildings we work in, how we travel, our health, safety, and prosperity.

The Apeiron Institute launched Sustainable RI as the Rhode Island Sustainability Coalition in 2001 under the vision of putting “sustainability” at the heart of how we grow and develop our state. The Coalition and more than 50 partners can point to a number of successes, including those listed at right.

Accomplishments to Date

• Successfully passing legislation
• Hosting statewide conferences and High Performance Buildings Summits
• Launching an energy cooperative, People’s Power & Light, that supplies renewable energy to over 3,000 users
• Expanding International Walk to School Day from 1 to 8 school districts
• Establishing the RI School Gardens Coalition
• Creating a directory of more than 700 organizations engaged in various aspects of sustainability in Rhode Island
• Developing the annual RI Sustainable Living Festival & Clean Energy Expo, now its sixth year, as a mainstay regional event
• Collaborating with partners including the RI Department of Energy Resources, RI Department of Environmental Management, RI Resource Recovery Corporation, scores of non-profits as well as legislative and educational councils, coalitions, and stakeholder groups
• Researching sustainable living programs in Boston, Portland, Seattle, Chicago, Maine, Minnesota, Oregon, California, Sweden and New Zealand. Smart growth, ecovillages, co-housing, and new urbanism development models were also studied. This study inventoried practical solutions to grow the economy, save money, improve health, protect the environment, create thriving communities, and improve the quality of our lives.

The future of Sustainable RI is dynamic and multi-faceted. To align the organization and partners the work starts with a clear, compelling, and strategic vision. Experts, business leaders, legislators and concerned citizens will contribute to the vision through structured meetings and web-based editing software to define policies and programs.

The vision will describe through narrative and illustrations, and include topics such as energy, air, water, food, community, buildings, transportation, land use, health, education, governance, economic development, equity, resource use and habitat and wildlife. Each topic will include a descriptive background, goals and strategies for achieving them, programs for distinct groups, and indicators to measure our progress.

Imagine…

• Low energy use homes built and furnished with non-toxic materials that improve health and well-being and reduce utility costs
• Home, school and community gardens all across the state growing local food while reducing the environmental impact from farming and transportation
• Reduced costs, cleaner air and water, and faster, increased service from new transit systems
• Vastly reduced energy needs from conservation being met from cost-effective renewable sources like wind, solar, small scale hydro, and bio-mass
• Economic development and industrial design will ensure all raw materials used can safely return to the eco-system or be re-engineered for future products

Other initiatives include

• The Things You Can Do campaign translates the strategic vision into simple actions for households, businesses, schools, places of worship, municipalities and governmental agencies.
• The Sustainable RI web site helps locate people, businesses, and resources working to promote sustainable practices through an easy to use, on-line data-base.
• Communication through film, brochures, and media campaigns will play a critical role in introducing sustainability concepts to new audiences and make them come alive in new communities.
• Please take a moment to sign our Statement of Commitment to show your support of Sustainable RI. Help us show local and national leaders the public interest in healthy responsible growth today and in the future.