What About the Environment?

I spend a lot of time talking about financial sustainability. I am also concered about ecological sustainability.

Here’s part of something I wrote for my neighborhood association:

As residents of an authentic urban neighborhood, the people of Audubon Park are constantly reminded of the history that made this place. We are the seventh generation. Our stewardship today will be received as a gift tomorrow. We do not take that lightly.
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We recognize our lives have an impact. That impact need not be negative. We find natural beauty in the urban environment and we nourish it. Our yards are home to birds and flowers. These natural elements sustain us while we work to reduce our footprint on the planet.
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Yet, our neighborhood does not punish those who drive. Our central location within the Twin Cities puts nearly everywhere within easy reach. Should your work location change, you can comfortably keep your home.

My lifestyle is very low-impact. Using resources wisely is just common sense. Yet, we shouldn’t feel ashamed of enjoying conveniences and luxuries. If we want more people to live more sensitively, I think the best way is by encouragement instead of command. Each of us can be an example that helps persuade others toward sustainability.

I am part of the group that’s working to make my neighborhood park (Audubon Park) a model for small-scale ecology. Our plan (pdf here) is to preserve all the exisitng park amenities, and add a path with plantings that show folks what grows well and provides a habitat for birds and butterflies. Our vision is to make the park a centerpiece for an entire neighborhood that is as inviting to flora and fauna as it is to people. We want folks to Bring Nature Home.

I want a lush beautiful green city. Everyone does. So let’s empower the people to make it happen. Without a fiscally-sustainable city, we can never achieve and environmentally-sustainable city. I am calling for direct action, for residents and volunteers to plant and garden. It’s too important to wait for City Hall to do it for us.