The Sustainability Capital

If the coming decade is going to be about anything, it is going to be about sustainability. Our current model of sustained growth is both unrealistic and unachievable, and requires a major shift in our relationship to the principles of sustainability. To date, no region of the US has established itself as the Sustainability Capital. We have many other types of economic capitals around the country; why not a Sustainability Capital?

Western North Carolina is an ideal candidate for the Sustainability Capital. This extraordinary opportunity is custom tailored to the heritage and the vision of the regional community, and may well be the key to its future economic, environmental and societal vitality. In light of the growing public interest in clean energy and transportation, relocalizing, greening and other issues, the timing could not be better. Why not "sustainability tourism?" The Mother Earth News Eco Village gave western North Carolina a glimpse of this possibility when it drew thousands of visitors to Henderson County in the 1970s and early '80s to learn the principles and skills of eco-logical living.

Sustainable Now has launched an ambitious but achievable initiative to establish the Asheville-Buncombe area of western North Carolina as the Sustainability Capital. This is part of a comprehensive effort to protect our farmland, forests, water quality, our natural and economic habitat, and the possibility of a sustainable future. You can play a part by inviting founder, Ian Booth, to speak about the Sustainability Capital and about "sustainability literacy" at your upcoming group, company or organizational meeting of ten people or more in the Asheville area. His talk lasts about 15 minutes, and we believe you'll find it both surprising and interesting, so simply contact us to arrange a date ... and thank you for your interest in our work.