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Narrative
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Here are four examples of environmental indicators. The first two are
traditional indicators; the second two are sustainable community
indicators.
The number of good air quality days is certainly an indicator
that can be easily understood by members of a community. However, it
is a one-dimensional, short term measure of a problem. It answers the
immediate question "Is it okay to breathe today?", but does not link
the answer to causes or effects of poor air quality.
The disadvantage of number of good air quality days as an
indicator is that it does not show links between air quality and other
economic or social issues. Sustainable community indicators do show
these links. For example, asthma-related admissions shows the link
between air quality and health. Vehicle miles traveled shows the link
between social and economic behavior and environmental
results.
Additional examples of environmental indicators can be found on the
Environment indicators page
of Maureen Hart's Indicators of Sustainability web site.
(Note to instructor: Rather than just telling participants what makes
the second two indicators better than the first two, engage
participants by asking them to explain the differences among these
indicators. Make the discussion interactive by asking participants
for their ideas for good indicators in these areas. Have the
facilitator or helper write down the indicators that participants
suggest. For each one, ask the participant what the links are with
the various categories of issues.)
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