ACE founded the Alliance for Sustainable Communities to motivate partnerships between representatives of all levels of government, business, citizens and innovators for project action that fits social, economic and environmental needs of the community. Our purpose is to enlist the participation of citizens, business, schools, and government to help realize those goals.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE: To design a human life-style that follows natural patterns and inspires creative problem solving by engaging people as part of the multitude of extraordinary species of life whose richness inspires the spirit and nourishes existence. The guiding principle is that sound environmental policies create jobs, make industry more efficient, help people identify their personal needs with those of their neighbors and those of the earth, provide leadership toward social and environmental justice.
Sustainability is the paradigm now and for the next millennium. It is the proper national purpose for the United States, the core challenge of all politics, all humanitarianism, all enterprise… We can and must build a path to ecological balance. (Andrew Euston, former HUD Senior Urban Design and Energy Program Officer)
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT: Personal empowerment is knowing that each one of us can make a difference, that change is possible, and that we can join together to help the whole community of life thrive. People need to understand and take responsibility for the future of the places they live in. Grassroots organizations are a growing factor nationwide. People who join these organizations discover that by developing a positive vision they can influence local decision-making, elect responsible officials and work effectively to determine local policies. A continuing interaction between members of government, businesses, and citizens can ensure that representative decisions are implemented.
WHAT WE CAN DO: Open our minds and spirits to an understanding that we and the land on which we live are part of an ecosystem which defines and encourages the long range interests of each individual, each city, county, state. Work to reduce consumption-waste-pollution, while encouraging job creation, locally owned businesses, transportation alternatives, re-use, energy retrofit, redevelopment of inner cities, preservation of interconnected natural infrastructure (clean water, streams, rivers, forests and wetlands), stormwater infiltration, natural sewage processing, organic farming.