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City of Oshkosh Department of Community Development 01HKOER
SUSTAINABILITY PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES TO DATE
September 2, 2009
To date, the Committee has met a total of six times. Since the initial organizational
meeting, members have
Received background information on Sustainability and The Natural Step
Heard presentations by City Department and Division Heads on sustainable
activities being undertaken
Heard presentations by University staff regarding the development and
implementation of the University of Wisconsin Sustainability Plan
Learned about various sustainable practices being undertaken by local businesses
from staff of Wisconsin Public Service
Agreed on the following working definition of sustainability:
Sustainability is meeting the needs of present generations without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their needs, (Brundtland Commission, 1987), and is
often defined as having three dimensions economy, environment and society or the
"three pillars" of sustainability.
Suggest use of the four Natural Step sustainability principles as objectives in guiding
planning, policies, programs, municipal operations and decision making by the City of
Oshkosh.
The four principles include:
1. Continually reduce dependence upon fossil fuels and extracted underground metals
and minerals.
2. Continually reduce dependence on chemicals and other manufactured substance that
can accumulate in nature.
3. Continually reduce dependence on activities that harm natural and life sustaining
ecosystems and,
4. Meet present and future human needs fairly and efficiently (social justice, economic
equity etc.)