Nancy Ebner

The more I learn about the scope and seriousness of the environmental challenges we face, the more I feel like just a tiny speck trying to do my best to become more aware and thoughtful in my actions.  It is important to share information with others hoping that they will become more thoughtful with their actions and perhaps give me insight to do something better.  The overwhelming part is that there are so many things that are affecting the environment and I cannot do everything that would help.  I am hopeful that I will continue to increase my good environmental actions and they will become second nature.  I do appreciate more my depression era parents when they would think before they just threw something out -- could they repurpose it?  Could someone else use it?  Did it just need cleaning and could be reused?  I am working on adopting that thought process!

A sustainable community would be just that -- one that can take care of itself for the most part.  I
It should be able provide its own sustainable energy.
It should promote water conservation not only through government organizations, but individual conservation (I am thinking having cisterns and rain barrels for water storage).  
Ideally, there should be a downtown with plenty of needed services so people can walk or bike easily and not have to drive.  
There should be a energy efficient shuttle service that runs throughout community.  
The community should included mixed housing (apartments and houses on same street) and mixed age groups.  
A community garden or gardens should be readily accessible to the community.

We all need to become more active at the local level.  We need to go to city council meetings and pay attention to city council elections.