A growing movement of business and civic leaders strive to establish the idea of sustainability as the central organizing principle for economic growth in the Great Lakes region. Sustainability is both a philosophy and a practice. It means a form of development that is able to continue indefinitely, simultaneously boosting profits, building social equity, and enhancing - rather than steadily degrading - the natural environment. Even amidst huge financial losses and massive layoffs, GM and Ford now embrace so-called green building practices.
Yet, surprisingly, few candidates for governor are embracing the vocabulary and framework of sustainability. Mike Hatch, the Democratic challenger to Minnesota's incumbent Governor Tim Pawlenty, has drafted a lengthy agenda on how his state can achieve energy independence and better balance economic and environmental goals. He's one of the few actually using the term 'sustainability.'
Other sitting governors and candidates for high office in the region talk separately about developing alternative fuels, protecting the environment, or growing the economy. But few have connected all the dots in one strategic agenda for action that will help plug the region into the global movement toward sustainability. Meanwhile, states like Arizona, California, and Oregon are actively promoting the concept to drive the development of new industries and prosper in the global economy.
Who's leading the movement in the Great Lakes region? Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell, a growing number of businesses like Herman Miller, and the grassroots.
