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President's Council on Sustainable Development
Overview
The President's Council on Sustainable Development was established on June
29, 1993 by Executive Order 12852. The Council adopted the definition of
sustainable development as stated in the original Brundtland Commission
report: development that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
The 25-member Council is a groundbreaking partnership drawing leaders from
industry, government, and environmental, labor and civil rights
organizations, and is charged with developing bold, new approaches to
integrate economic and environmental policies.
President Clinton appointed Jonathan Lash, President of World Resources
Institute, and David Buzzelli, Vice President and Corporate Director of
Environment, Health and Safety and Public Affairs at The Dow Chemical
Company as Co-chairs of the Council. The Council's Executive Director is
Molly Harriss Olson.
The Council's mission is:
To develop and recommend to the President a national sustainable
development action strategy that will foster economic vitality;
To develop an annual Presidential Honors Program recognizing
outstanding achievements in sustainable development; and
To raise public awareness of sustainable development issues and
participation in opportunities for sustainable development.
Council members serve on eight task forces:
Eco-Efficiency will identify models of sustainable manufacturing,
pollution prevention and product stewardship that will enhance
recommendations for policy change.
Energy and Transportation will develop long- and short-term
policies to contribute to a more sustainable energy future.
Natural Resources Management and Protection will develop
guidelines to better manage and protect our nations natural resources.
Principles, Goals, and Definitions will articulate sustainable
development principles and goals.
Population and Consumption will identify the impact of population
and consumption patterns on sustainable development and recommend actions
to address these issues.
Public Linkage, Dialogue, and Education will work to foster public
dialogue and develop educational outreach activities.
Sustainable Agriculture will examine and make recommendations
relating to sustainable agriculture production, practices and systems.
Sustainable Communities will explore the obstacles and
opportunities for sustainable development at the community level.
The Council meets quarterly over an initial two-year period and may be
renewed for an additional two years. The 1993 meetings were held in
Washington, DC. During 1994 the Council met in Seattle, WA in January,
Washington, DC in April and October and in Chicago, IL in July. In
January 1995, a meeting was held in Chattanooga, TN and the final two
meetings are scheduled for April 27-28 in San Francisco, CA and June 27-28
in Washington, DC. A status update will be available in April 1995 and
the final report of the Council to the President is planned for release in
October 1995.