Sustainable Pittsburgh last presented this regional sustainability goals and indicators report in 2004. In tracking the region’s progress, we see that much has changed, while too many things remain the same. Not changing however, is the reason we produce the report. The old saying, “You can’t manage what you can’t measure,” applies. Sustainable Pittsburgh is resolute that we as a region need to take stock of key issues, throw all we have at the ones that need to be fixed and continually take stock of our progress.
This 124 page report provides a suite of measures of the overarching, regional issues that cut across our geopolitical boundaries of southwestern Pennsylvania. The 29 sustainability indicators detailed in this report were selected during an extensive public engagement process. Overall, the indicators show a region that has one foot squarely planted in a new and promising economy that is clean, equitable, renewable, healthy and based on sustainable business and community practice.
This 124 page report provides a suite of measures of the overarching, regional issues that cut across our geopolitical boundaries of southwestern Pennsylvania. The 29 sustainability indicators detailed in this report were selected during an extensive public engagement process. Overall, the indicators show a region that has one foot squarely planted in a new and promising economy that is clean, equitable, renewable, healthy and based on sustainable business and community practice.
Report Highlights
Table of Contents
PREFACE
SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS
INTRODUCTION
A region forged in steel turns toward a sustainable future.
PEOPLE
- Racial Equity
GOAL: Equitable opportunity - Social Capital
GOAL: A wealth of social capital - General Health
GOAL: Long, healthy lives - Health Care Access
GOAL: Universal access to quality health care - Infant Health
GOAL: Safe births, healthy babies - Mental Health
GOAL: Universal mental health and well being - Voting
GOAL: More voters voting; more democracy - Equity of Political Representation
GOAL: Diversity of elected offcials that matches the diversity of the region’s population
PLANET
- Air Quality
GOAL: Clean, healthy air every day - Toxic Emissions
GOAL: Reduction in toxic chemical production, use and emissions - Water Quality: Combined Sewer Overflow
GOAL: Clean water for recreational use - Water Quality: Bromide and Total Dissolved Solids
GOAL: High quality water to support ecosystem health and human use - Ecosystem Health
GOAL: An ecological balance for native species - Environmental Ethic
GOAL: A strong regional environmental ethic - Energy Use
GOAL: 100 percent clean, renewable energy use - Waste and Recycling
GOAL: Efficient lifestyles; sustainable levels of consumption
PLACE
- Crime
GOAL: Safe, secure, stable communities - Housing
GOAL: Good and a ordable housing for all - Mobility
GOAL: Easy and resource-efficient mobility - Land Use
GOAL: Efficient, equitable land use - Cultural Life
GOAL: A rich, vibrant and diverse cultural life - Recreational Opportunities
GOAL: Universal access to high- quality amenities
PERFORMANCE
- Cost of Living
GOAL: Affordability to allow for a basic, decent lifestyle for all residents - Unemployment
GOAL: Full, productive, stable employment - Wages
GOAL: High returns on individual labor - Poverty
GOAL: Reduce poverty - Regional Cooperation
GOAL: Effective regional cooperation - Graduation Rates
GOAL: High graduation rates in our schools - Internet Access
GOAL: Equitable access to computers and the Internet
SOURCES/NOTES
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CONTRIBUTORS