Sustainable Land Development Today - January 2009 - (Page 4)

SLDT OUR VOICE What Do You Know For Sure? I n younger days, a favorite uncle would greet me with that curious question and it typically resulted in a vain attempt by me to come up with something clever. I can’t really remember any of those responses. Obviously, they weren’t memorable. But of late, I’ve revisited that greeting. What do we really know for sure? When it comes down to it, the only things we know for sure are those that we have experienced first hand, through our basic senses. The rest of our personal knowledge is based on what we’ve heard from others or read somewhere, or perceptions, which I contend is a mix of our personal experience with that gleaned from outside sources. If you think about it, perhaps only 10-percent of what we “know for sure” is from first hand experience, the rest is from outside sources or perceptions. It would be much more comforting to think that we make a host of decisions, large and small, day in and day out, based on solid, personal experience. On the other hand, it does uncover the reality that none of us know all the answers (though if you are at all like me, we sometimes try to provide that impression). Further, it underscores a need to address that reality, and that we should be open to counter points and different ideas. Many times our perceptions may be reality to us as individuals, but may not be accurate. A case in point is the word “sustainability.” To many, many people, that word equates solely to environmental protection. Under the definition accepted by those in the world-wide sustainability movement, and espoused by our parent organization, Sustainable Land Development International (SLDI), it means addressing the needs of people while providing environmental protection and economic benefit (i.e. “balancing the needs of people, planet and profit”). This magazine and our organization, SLDI, continually seek to drive home the true definition. Related to the current financial crisis, many are asking the question, “Now what?” What is going to happen next? As our nation and world slide into the great unknown of economic recession, it might be a good time to examine our personal knowledge and perceptions of the world. In times of crisis, whether it’s a household, a business or government, we are forced to re-evaluate where we are and make the changes necessary to survive. It is during that decision-making process that success or failure hinges. It is during that process when changes can occur. It is during that process when conditions may demand shifts in established paradigms. Change is not easy, especially when it comes at the expense of established beliefs and processes. We are creatures that find security in the familiar, and when it comes to dollars and cents, there are gamblers among us, but most of us are more comfortable with sticking with the “same-ole, same ole.” Indeed, staying the course may be the way for some of us to survive the economic crisis, but for others, there is an opportunity for change that can lead to long-term benefits. The economic crisis presents sustainability-advocates with two opportunities: 1) drive home the true meaning of the word as it pertains to social as well as environmental and economic equity, and 2) that this is the time for a massive shift, world-wide, to true sustainability. This crisis can be used to drive home the point that the basic pursuit of shortterm profits has largely been the cause our current problems. The situation demands that we re-evaluate our basic knowledge base. Indeed, this is the time to ask people, “What do you know for sure?” Rob Kundert, Senior Editor We welcome your feedback Reader responses to articles in Sustainable Land Development Today are encouraged and may be sent via mail or email (Editor@SLDTonline.com), or online through SLDTonline.com. Mailing address: Sustainable Land Development Today, Attention: Editor, 275 East 10th St. Suite 201, Dubuque, IA 52001 4 October 2008 Sustainable Land Development Today http://www.SLDTonline.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Sustainable Land Development Today - January 2009

Sustainable Land Development Today - January 2009 Contents Our Voice Your Voice The BottomLine SLDI in Focus Calendar Industry Rebound Will Require Balanced Approach What Happened to Fannie and Freddie? Added Value in Entitlements Industry Spotlights Technology Wastewater Innovation Classifieds Advertiser Index Editorial Board SLDT Resources Last Word

Sustainable Land Development Today - January 2009

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