Time is now, not the future, to embrace sustainability.

Byline: Lisa Arkin and Cary Thompson For The Register-Guard

Sustainability is a buzz that has taken environmental practices and social issues into the new millennium. Businesses, governments and educational institutions are embracing sustainability by creating policies, implementation plans and committees to determine long-range goals and practices that will follow a "sustainable" path.

But where did the term "sustainability" come from and what does it mean? The word is new, but the idea has been around for a long time. However, we're only now beginning to understand what it means to think holistically about social, environmental and economic needs. The term and the concept made the leap into mainstream dialogue in 1987 with the publication of a report from the World Commission on Environment and Development titled Our Common Future. This document created the most frequently cited definition of sustainable development: development that meets the needs of the current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The report suggested that social equity, economic growth and environmental maintenance are simultaneously attainable.

In Oregon, Gov. John Kitzhaber issued a sustainability executive order and Gov. Ted Kulongoski has intensified this effort. Under Kulongoski's executive order, 20 of Oregon's largest state agencies are required to appoint a sustainability coordinator and develop goals and plans implementing sustainable practices.

Nationwide, cities are beginning to incorporate sustainability practices on many levels. San Francisco has officially adopted the "precautionary principle," a decision-making tool that requires consideration of impacts to human health, social equity and the environment in growth and purchasing choices. In Seattle, city vehicles are being changed from diesel to cleaner fuels and sustainable building standards are incorporated into city buildings. These are among countless other city initiatives that are saving money and conserving resources while ensuring a quality of life for generations to come.

Locally, Portland has created a city sustainability policy that includes developing an office of sustainability that touches on all areas of community operations and long range planning. Portland implemented a green building initiative and is stimulating sustainable business growth in the area. Evidence of Portland's commitment to long range planning is the city's Sustainable Development Commission, which draws members from an experienced and knowledgeable citizen base.

So where is Eugene in all of this? Eugene has a reputation as an environmentally friendly city. Citizen initiatives have helped jump-start the growth of the natural foods processing and organic farming sectors, green building efforts (the new library and fire station), biodiesel development, recycling/reuse centers, bicycle paths and environmental education. Eugene is also home to a premier sustainability consulting and research firm, Good Company, which has been active with state agencies and corporations pursuing sustainability. From the ground view, there's a lot going on with sustainability in Eugene.

However, the city of Eugene has not yet committed to a focused effort on sustainability as a way of doing business. During the past five years, there have been many documents, studies and resolutions, but no solid action. In 1998, the City Council adopted growth management policies to intensify efforts to diversify the local economy, increase the number of family wage jobs and focus on local environmentally sensitive businesses. In 2000, a resolution was passed that would move Eugene towards economic stability through sustainable principles. In 2002, a small amount of money was allotted to city staff to study and implement sustainable economic development initiatives. However, little has arisen from these efforts.

There are no long range plans or policies that address sustainability, and the city has neither an office of sustainability nor a citizens' commission that would focus on the issue and move it forward. The City's environmental policy team, a disparate group of city staffers, seems mostly focused on low-hanging fruit and has yet to fully explore integrated sustainable planning.

Eugene is a perfect place to be embracing sustainable practices. There are precious resources to protect here and there are people who care deeply about this issue and have integrated it into their lifestyles and business practices. According to Bob Doppelt, from the Program for the Community Watershed at the University of Oregon, Springfield, Creswell and Florence are all taking a look at sustainability as an opportunity to enhance their communities. Clearly, Eugene lags behind.

We can't afford not to be thinking sustainably. It makes sense and has proven benefits from cost savings to improved quality of life to economic development. There are thriving examples close to home.

The time is now for Eugene to make a real commitment - and for Eugene's government to open its doors, invite citizens into the arena and to begin this discussion. Opportunity awaits. Sustainability is the path to the future we all desire.

Lisa Arkin and Cary Thompson are members of the Sustainable Eugene Advisory Panel, a nonprofit group formed to provide leadership and information on sustainable practices.