Oberlin as global citizen

In 2001, the City of Oberlin, Ohio, adopted an impressive policy statement calling for the city to consider sustainability in all its actions. It recognizes that Oberlin does not exist in isolation; it is part of a larger community of interests. Thus, it asserts that a city must assume responsibility for its impacts on communities and ecosystems locally and globally.

Here are excerpts from the Oberlin policy:

SECTION 1. Sustainability, as defined by the United Nations Commission of Environment and Development, "meets current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs." The City of Oberlin is committed to promoting a sustainable future by accepting the responsibility to:

• Support a stable, diverse and equitable economy;
• Protect the quality of the air, water, land, and other natural resources;
• Conserve, where possible, and enhance ecosystems; and
• Minimize adverse human impacts on local, regional and worldwide ecosystems.

SECTION 2. Sustainability Principles: City elected officials and City staff will, to the best of their ability, uphold the following principles in carrying out their duties:

2.1 The concept of sustainability will guide City policy and actions. The City of Oberlin is committed to meeting its current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The City will endeavor to ensure that each of its policy decisions and programs are interconnected through the common bond of sustainability as expressed in these principles. The long-term impact of policy choices will be considered as we work to promote a sustainable legacy.

2.2 The City will lead by example. The City of Oberlin has an opportunity and responsibility to set an example for others by operating its facilities and services in a sustainable manner. The City is committed to evaluating its current practices and programs with respect to sustainability. The City is committed to developing strategies and seeking community partnerships for implementing sustainable practices.

2.3 The quality of the environment and the health of the economy are interdependent. A healthy environment is integral to the long-term economic interest of the City. The City will encourage individuals, businesses, government, and community-based groups to consider the potential impacts of their activities within the context of this policy on sustainability.

a) The City will be responsive to the maintenance and protection of the visually appealing historic character of Oberlin while supporting public spaces that protect the natural environment.
b) The City will encourage the local production and use of goods and services.
c) The City will support minimizing the production and disposal of materials which degrade the quality of the atmosphere, the soil and water.
d) The City will promote and continue to maintain quality housing for all citizens (that is compatible with its infrastructure) and is sensitive to resource and energy efficiency.
e) The City will support land-use and transportation designs that support pedestrian or non-motorized modes of travel.
f) The City will promote energy efficiency and resource conservation.
g) As we protect the health of the environment and provide for the expansion of the local economy, we will ensure that inequitable burdens are not placed on any one geographic area or socio-economic sector of our community.

2.4 Community participation is fundamental to successful implementation of sustainability policies and programs.

a) Citizen interaction is critical to community and to a sense of belonging.
b) The City will continue to facilitate citizen participation in the development of solutions to problems and to develop land use patterns that support the relationship among residential, agricultural, institutional, commercial, industrial and open space.

2.5 Local actions have regional, national and global implications. Oberlin does not exist in isolation; it is part of a larger community of interests. The City will support model environmental programs and innovative approaches to economic development that demonstrate our linkages to the regional, national and global communities and ecosystems.

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EcoCity Cleveland
3500 Lorain Avenue, Suite 301, Cleveland OH 44113
Cuyahoga Bioregion
(216) 961-5020
www.ecocitycleveland.org
Copyright 2002-2003

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The City will support model environmental programs and innovative approaches to economic development that demonstrate our linkages to the regional, national and global communities and ecosystems.