Sustainability for low income communities

The role sustainability efforts can play in low income communities has the potential to be great. Sustainability entails efforts to make these locations not only environmentally sustainable but socially and economically sustainable as well. With this definition, sustainability looks to incorporate considerations of environmental justice and address the health and wellbeing of people and places. For example, the health benefits of better insulated and energy efficient buildings could reduce heat island effects and weather-related disease in summers and winters. A combination of good design and access to retail and quality green space could positively impact injuries, cardiovascular disease, mental health and crime. With this definition guiding sustainability efforts in low income communities, the potential economic benefits are many. For example, more-energy efficient housing could allow a larger percentage of a household's earnings to meet needs other than heating and cooling. Sustainable initiatives can begin to address issues such as providing quality housing for diverse populations (age, income and household size), encouraging small business development, and creating green jobs in the community. This talk will provide examples of the variety of sustainability measures available, examples of ways in which such measures have been implemented in low-income settings, ideas for further development and applications of such measures (such as zoning considerations) and engage the audience on how to address some of the challenges in pursuing these goals.