Portland, oregon: A case study in sustainability; The environmental shortsightedness of the past has proven costly to governments. By institutionalizing sustainable principles and practices, governments can ensure a livable future for coming generations.

• Author: Grewe, Timothy

The word "sustainability" is becoming an increasingly common word in the public policy lexicon. The concept behind the word, however, is not widely understood. Simply put, sustainability is the notion that current economic and consumption patterns should not reduce opportunities for future generations by depleting or impairing resources. (1) Put another way, sustainability is the process of creating balance among the environment, the economy, and social equity. The concept is derived from the recognition that the earth's natural capital is limited and that pollution and wastefulness are a drain on the economy.

Government finance officers understand well the consequences of imbalance among the environment, the economy, and social equity. Many cities have been forced to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to remedy the legacies of past generations. Urban sprawl from shortsighted land-use planning, water pollution from combined sewer systems, overflowing landfills from heavy waste loads--these are just a few of many examples of how the unsustainable actions of past generations can prove costly to succeeding generations.

Although the national and international debate over environmental policy and legislation is interesting, the rubber hits the road at the state and local levels. Problems created by imbalances between the environment and the economy often result in regulations and resource drains at the local level. Ultimately, local government officials are the ones who must devise solutions to address the environmental issues plaguing their communities.

A profound, understandable concern for the welfare of future generations is focusing increasing attention on sustainability, causing many organizations to rethink the way they conduct business. Scientific research confirms that human activity is causing a buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere that already is altering the world climate. Left unchecked, climate change could undermine the delicate system that sustains life on earth. Conducting business as usual, without regard for its impact on the environment, is simply no longer an option.

By now, most people have either heard or read about global warming. Recent reports by the United Nations and the National Academy of Sciences offer some startling glimpses into the future. (2)

* Temperatures on earth are expected to rise between 2.5 and 10.4 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the 21st century, almost twice as much as 1995 predictions and far exceeding the 1 degree temperature increase of the 20th century.

* By 1996, 25 percent of the world's approximately 4,630 mammal species and 11 percent of the 9,675 bird species were at significant risk of total extinction.

* Costs for extreme weather damage reached $608 billion in the 1990s, exceeding the aggregate costs of the previous 40 years.

* Every day, Americans generate 125 pounds of waste per capita. Annualized, this translates into a total annual waste flow of 250 trillion pounds, only 5 percent of which is recycled.

* Every 100 pounds of product manufactured in the United States generates at least 3,200 pounds of related waste.

* Hazardous chemical exposure is suspected of causing a litany of adverse human health impacts--from birth defects to cancer. Global pesticide use results in 3.5 to 5 million acute poisonings a year.

* The United States is responsible for 25 percent of the world's carbon dioxide emissions. To stabilize atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and curb the trend of global warming, these emissions must be reduced by 70 percent in the coming decades.

Altering this course by adopting principles of sustainability will require dramatic changes in current social and economic systems. Many local governments, however, already are meeting this challenge by integrating environmental, economic, and social goals toward a sustainable future. Among these governments is the City of Portland, which was recently recognized as one of three international cities doing the most to achieve sustainability. This article describes Portland's efforts and identifies some of the most salient considerations for other governments to consider in formulating their own strategies for a sustainable future.

Rising to the Challenge

Despite the success of its sustainability initiative, Portland is hardly alone in this regard. Other cities throughout the world also are making significant progress. More than 400 cities, for example, have adopted global warming plans. Worldwide, local governments are taking the lead in applying sustainability concepts. Government finance officers stand to gain much from one another by sharing their experiences in developing options and implementing needed initiatives. Two brief examples illustrate the kinds of innovative sustainability solutions that have been implemented by local governments across the globe.

With a population of just greater than 16,000, the City of Arcata, California, relies on marsh plants to decontaminate wastewater and to provide secondary sewage treatment. The Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary was constructed as an alternative to a regional facility that would have required a 70 percent rate increase. In addition to treating Arcata's wastewater, the facility provides wildlife habitat and public park land. The total cost to build the integrated facility was $7.1 million, far less than the $25 million estimated for a conventional system. The benefits of this innovative facility, however, extend far beyond mere sewage treatment.

Similarly, the City...