Design H Getting to sustainability, H O M E
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one step at a time
It’s all about collaboration and community, say two local activists
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by Annie Spie ge l m an , t he D ir t D iva
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ondering how to create a citywide plastic bag ban or a green building ordinance, or how to stop a government planned aerial pesticide spraying of your own ’hood? Two dynamic sustainability experts and community organizers have been involved in all of the above changes in the last few years here in Marin County. And now they’ve written a book with the secret codes! Grassroots Sustainability: A Guide to Organizing a Thriving Community by artist and writer Lisa Chipkin and Fairfax Mayor Pam Hartwell-Herrero will move you to take action, get some peeps (your Lisa Chipkin leadership team), set long-term goals, educate your community, and ultimately survive the rough spots on the road to revising public policies. I spoke with the authors about their inspirational new book that asks us all to break through our fears, roll up our sleeves and get to work changing the world for good.
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global—the rich and diverse offerings and resources available within the community, the conscientious stewardship and protection of the planet—its natural systems and resources, ora and fauna, and the responsible, intelligent and innovative production, distribution, consumption, and regeneration of all goods and services.
You state that creating policy change is about collaboration and building lasting positive relationships in your community. How do you do that? PHH: This has been a critical part of the work that we do. It makes the work stronger and makes us all feel more supported. We think the best way to build a positive relationship is through collaboration, and always looking out to be sure you’re benefiting each other. We never ask for anything unless we have something positive to return. This makes both sides Pam Hartwell-Herrero feel really good about You two seem to think that continuwhatever it is we’re working on. ing to pollute our natural resources is It is critical for advocacy groups to so yesterday! Today is about sustainapproach all potential collaborators in a ability. What is your own personal really respectful way, with the belief that deďŹ nition of sustainability? workable, win-win solutions are possible. Lisa Chipkin: We believe a thriving This approach inspires people to want to community, one in which there is a strong work with you, garners the support you sense of place, connectedness and belongneed for your issue or cause, and helps ing, as well as a strong local economy build the coalitions that allow you to beand a healthy diverse environment, is a come more effective in your work. sustainable one. Pam Hartwell-Herrero: The more I live You write, “Try to end meetings on with sustainability and birthing it into the a positive note.â€? Isn’t that a challenge community and growing it in the commu- when discussing climate change, nity the more I feel it’s about changing our water pollution, overcrowded landďŹ lls, culture to appreciate the abundance that escalating asthma rates and pesticidecomes with learning how to live differently ridden food? together. It’s a good culture that feels really LC: They are big and scary, especially rich and whole. when you look at them all at once on a LC: I also see sustainability as living global scale. But when you begin in your in full appreciation and respect for all own community, they become more members of the community—local and manageable, though still challenging...