Agenda - 10-07-2008- 7b - Laserfiche WebLink

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Attachment 1.3 41 An emerging point of consensus in Orange County is that we need to move toward becoming a sustainable community. What that means is that we must seek to develop a community that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Trends identified by scientists have demonstrated the need to focus on sustainability. Current global trends have demonstrated the need for planning healthy and sustainable communities. One trend is the increasing impact of greenhouse gases on the world's climate and another is the decreasing supply of resources that support life. Sustainability is defined as aligning our built environment and socioeconomic activities with the natural systems that support life. In the long run, Sustainability means adapting human activities to the constraints and opportluiities of nature. The syn~bel fl~ure below is a graphic representation of a sustainable community. Each ring represents one of the Three E's: the environment, the economy and social equity. Each of these rings is connected to, and dependent upon the others. INSERT Fi~.u~e 5-1 "The Three S ~heres of Sustainable Cnowth" from Page 5-2 of the draft Com»rehensive Plan The design of a sustainable community in Orange County means that this Comprehensive Plan will strive, in its implementation, to link the economy, the environment and social equity to improve the vitality of all three of these domains. The meaning of sustainability can be further understood by examining four basic principles regarding human needs, natural systems, and the relationships between them. mr, ""''°s ~e "w~ic, 1. For a given natural resource, if the depletion rate exceeds the replacement rate, the resource will be available for only a finite time. Thus, unchecked use of resources has implications for our future generations. 2. Human activity produces harmful substances, which must be mediated to maintain balance in the natural systems. Human-generated waste, such as plastics, sewage, and carbon monoxide, must be carefully managed to minimize and eliminate damage to the earth. 3. Earth's ecosystems, of which humans are a part along with other living beings, are interdependent and most stable when they include a diversity of species. Overuse and pollution of the natural environment has implications for maintaining the earth's biodiversity. 4. Human needs span physical, economic, environmental, cultural, social, and spiritual dimensions. Human needs can be met equitably, justly, and with dignity without compromising the physical environment. Achieving greater fairness is essential for social stability and the cooperation needed for making large-scale changes within the framework laid out by the first three principles. These global principles are locally relevant because our community is part of a region, part of a continent, and part of a world. Our individual and collective decisions and actions affect the quality of human life and the quality of our natural environment not only in the local community, but also in the world. By understanding these principles, and the consequences of continuing to violate them, we establish a common basis for working toward becoming a sustainable community.