Underlying the concept of sustainable development is the assumption that, perhaps, the best development is none at all and that a return to a less developed, simpler world will lesson or prevent ecological and economic disasters. But to create a less developed world still requires change. And that, too, is development.
For example, a dirt road was built where once there was only a deer path through wildlife habitat. The road is no longer in use and is eroding into the streams, and you want to put the road to bed. To do that, you must hire heavy equipment and people to do the job. You must "develop" things back to the way you think they ought to be.
Not all sustainable development follows this model. Other forms of development may be considered sustainable because they are ecologically sound and socially just, like a community art gallery, a recycled-product manufacturer of a needed item, or a composting company. Each of these is modern, changing with the times, and progressive, but meets the definition of sustainable development by not harming the environment or the people it impacts. A perfectly sound environmental project employing very bad labor practices would not be considered sustainable.
CEED's role in all this is as a catalyst, within our bioregion, but also statewide, nationally, and sometimes, internationally. We seek out and support those forms of development that either put things back, such as habitat restoration or that improve quality of life while not damaging the human or ecological communities. We are currently involved in projects in Green Building construction techniques, an environmental technology youth hostel, land restoration, organics and recycling. We provide tools and support policies that help community groups meet their goals.
See our website for our programs and projects, http://www.ceedweb.org/projects/regional.html.
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