New Institute Promotes Ecologically Sustainable Development
for Long Island
Goal is to End "Mega-Malling" and Revitalize
Local Neighborhoods, Preserve Open Space
The newly formed Institute for Sustainable Development is asking community
leaders and elected politicians to rethink the way in which Long Island
is being developed.
A joint endeavor of the C.W. Post and Southampton Campuses of Long Island
University, the Institute intends to bring to the region the concept of
sustainability, endorsed at the United Nations Earth Day Summit in Rio
de Janiero in 1992.
"The key to sustainable development on Long Island is the revitalization
of local neighborhoods, the reconstruction of abandoned industrial sites,
and the preservation and, where possible, restoration of open space,"
said C.W. Post Philosophy Professor David Sprintzen, co-founder of the
Institute with Southampton College Environmental Studies Professor Scott
Carlin. "We must put an end to the 'mega-malling' of Long Island,
by rebuilding villages and bio regions that are economically and culturally
vibrant, ecologically productive and socially equitable," added Dr.
Sprintzen, who is known for his work with the Long Island Progressive Coalition
which he co-founded 19 years ago to promote sustainable development and
the revitalization of local communities.
To meet the distinctive needs of Long Island's diverse communities,
the Long Island University Institute for Sustainable Development intends
to get citizens from many different communities directly involved in the
planning process.
REPORT RELEASED: The Institute released a report in January that
examines the feasibility of using sustainable development concepts on Long
Island. Already, sustainable development projects have proved successful
in such places as California, Minnesota, Oregon, Florida, and Washington.
In Santa Monica, for example, local leaders succeeded in securing funding
to switch 75% of city vehicles to low emission vehicles by the year 2000.
Researchers here will employ the measurement technique called "Quality
of Life Indicators" used in these other projects to help individual
communities pinpoint their social and economic problems and find viable,
ecologically-friendly solutions. Indicators are statistics that measure
key aspects of a community's environment, economy and social resources.
Already, talks are underway with leaders in the City of Glen Cove in Nassau
County and the Town of Riverhead in Suffolk County to begin studies.
WORLD ATTENTION: The concept of sustainability was first brought
to the world's attention by the report of the Bruntland Commission to the
United Nations in 1987 and then became an international movement in connection
with the United Nation's Earth Day Summit in 1992.
The idea rejects the conventional belief that we can "grow"
our way out of our problems. Instead, it claims that unending growth is
not possible on a finite planet, and that quantitative growth must be replaced
by qualitative development.
Sustainability requires that natural resource base which supports human,
planet, and animal life, be preserved. It redefines the concept of growth,
development and welfare to place primary emphasis on long-term health and
welfare of entire communities rather than short-term financial gain of
individuals and private corporations.
PROBLEMS UNIQUE TO EACH COMMUNITY: "If we know what the
trends are, we can use them to direct policy and planning," said Project
Coordinator Rachel Weinstein. "It is crucial for indicator studies
of Long Island to address the tremendous variation in town character, income,
and urban, suburban, rural qualities," she added. "From Brooklyn
to the East End, Long Island confronts a wide range of land use issues.
As far as income diversity, Long Island has struggling communities, but
also has four of the 10 wealthiest communities in the United States. Because
of this diversity, it is important for each community to begin thinking
about its own vision of sustainability and planning its own indicator program."
Initially, the Institute will be based at the C.W. Post and Southampton
campuses of Long Island University. University officials hope to expand
the program to its downtown Brooklyn campus. Currently, projects that
focus on the suburban landscape of Nassau and western Suffolk will be located
at the C.W. Post Campus in Brookville, while Southampton College will address
the unique needs of the East End's Peconic Bioregion.
To learn more about the Institute for Sustainable Development, Long
Islanders can attend a series of films and lectures scheduled for March
and April. Speakers will include the Director of Sustainable America,
and authors and experts in the field. For more information please contact
Project Coordinator Rachel Weinstein at (516) 287-8800 or Co-directors
Scott Carlin at (516) 287-8238 or David Sprintzen (516) 299-3051.
For more information call the C.W. Post Public
Relations Office at (516) 299-2333 or e-mail cwpostpr@aurora.liunet.edu
or send mail to: Long Island University, C.W. Post Campus, 720 Northern
Blvd., Brookville, New York 11548-1300.
