What does a sustainable community do?
Written By:
Douglas J. Weiss and Barb Mann | Balsam Moon | 6:00 am, Feb. 10, 2021 ×
In our previous column, we defined what a sustainable community is and how our communities here in rural Minnesota have become less self-sufficient and sustainable over the last 70 years.
In this column, we will briefly discuss some of the initiatives that are beginning to reestablish some local control over essential aspects of our lives.
First of all, what kinds of things make communities more sustainable, self-sufficient and resilient? Sustainable communities work toward: 1. meeting our basic needs for food, housing, health care, education, personal safety; 2. providing our needs for clean air, water and nutritious food while protecting the local ecosystem, land and energy sources; 3. providing economic opportunities that include meaningful employment with adequate pay; 4. fostering a sense of community that creates feelings of belonging and