Sustainable Somerville — a nascent network of community organizations working to make/keep Somerville a great place to live, work, and play — is sponsoring a Sustainability Scavenger Hunt at ArtBeat (Saturday, July 19th in Davis Square), to show how the common thread of sustainability connects the work of the diverse community organizations represented at the festival.
Typically, the word “sustainability” invokes thoughts about protecting the environment and about minimizing or preventing climate change. But “sustainability” is more than that. A report by the United Nations-sponsored World Commission on Environment and Development defined sustainability in terms of “the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
When people consider the concept of sustainability in terms of a city like Somerville, they typically (and appropriately) think about land use planning, zoning, open space protection, transit-oriented development, and creating pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly streets.
In fact, however, the guiding principle of sustainability has even broader implications — for policies governing the protection of public health; ensuring the affordability of housing and the viability of local businesses and sources of employment; ensuring the adequacy of public education (for children and adults) and child/youth development programming; affirming and protecting the civil and human rights and safety of residents and visitors from all walks of life; encouraging and affording opportunities for broad-based civic participation; and sustaining the kind of vibrant arts and cultural activity that stimulates introspection, celebration, and a healthy exchange of ideas.
Sustainable Somerville is a budding effort to bring together, strengthen, and find ways of mutually supporting the diverse community organizations whose work falls under the broad umbrella concept of “sustainability.”
The ArtBeat Sustainability Scavenger Hunt is a playful first attempt to share our ideas about the many dimensions of sustainability with the public.
Participants at ArtBeat will receive Clue Sheets briefly describing how the work of partnering organizations contributes to a more sustainable Somerville. They will have to match the clue with the organization, and then go to the organization’s booth/table to get a stamp or sticker demonstrating that they made the right match.
People who document five correct matches will receive a free compact fluorescent bulb and will be entered in a drawing to receive a free meal at a local eatery.
Clue sheets — available at the tables of all participating organizations — will also include a brief blurb about Sustainable Somerville’s perspective on the interrelatedness and mutual benefit of:
(a) preserving, protecting, and expanding access to public open space
(b) expanding use of public transit and other alternatives to single-passenger automobile use
(c) making our sidewalks and intersections more pedestrian friendly
(d) supporting diversity and mutual tolerance and understanding in our community
(e) increasing energy efficiency at home and work
(f) promoting smart growth and development that enhances the quality of life in Somerville
(g) mobilizing greater support for local and locally owned businesses
(h) protecting the affordability of housing
(i) making our community more accessible to persons with disabilities and impairments
(j) expanding opportunities for creative play, physical activity, and learning that enhance child and youth development
(k) strengthening prevention programs that protect our public health and safety
(l) supporting public and adult education and training that prepares residents to take their place in the economy and community in which they live
(m) providing Somerville residents with meaningful opportunities to participate in civic dialog, via local media and public process
Clue Sheets will also provide a link to a website where the “answers” will be posted. In fact, there are many more organizations that contribute to the sustainability of Somerville than will be represented at ArtBeat, and we look forward to promoting and collaborating with these organizations going forward.
P.S. Somerville Voices is a great new example of a Somerville resource that promotes civic dialog and civic engagement through creation of local media. We hope you’ll come visit us at the booth we’re sharing with SCAT (Somerville’s Community Access Television) at ArtBeat!
Posted in Arts and Culture, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Housing, Uncategorized
