Sustainability
Photo Credit: Hilltop Hanover Farm, Green Roof on Chicken Coop
FCWC's Position:
A citizenship that promotes and advocates sustainability is one that has the ability or capacity to support itself without endangering or jeopardizing future generations. Sadly however, our consumer-led lifestyle is placing a tremendous strain on our Earth’s resources, be it: mineral extraction, toss-away packaging for food and other products, poorly conceived land policies and related activities.
It is satisfying to know that Westchester County is one of the more forward-thinking and pro-active counties in New York State and the nation, however, it is not enough to "rest on our laurels” and additional work must be completed.
For the past fifty years, FCWC has been the premier organization in Westchester County that supports, advocates and promotes sustainability and service to our environment. Broadly defined, sustainability refers to meeting the needs of our current generation or community without jeopardizing or compromising future generations or communities. Some illustrations of our sustainable work include:
"An attitude to life which seeks fulfillment in the single-minded pursuit of wealth - in short, materialism - does not fit into this world, because it contains within itself no limiting principle, while the environment in
which it is placed is strictly limited."
- E.F. Schumacher
Author of Small Is Beautiful
Reading List:
A part of FCWC's role is to provide is easy access to resources. Here we have compiled a recommended reading list, should you want to learn more about sustainability.
Useful Links:
Fast Facts:
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In Westchester, it is estimated that a typical household generates approximately 25 tons of CO2 per year. As a comparison, it is estimated that the typical British household emits 10.5 tons per year. (2008, Westchester Climate Action Plan)