Green
plans are long-term environmental strategies that
ensure a high quality of life for present and future
generations. They replace traditional single-issue
policies, which are often created by special- interest
groups to serve their own ideological or economic
needs. A successful green plan is comprehensive:
it considers all aspects of the environment and
is developed through consultation with the major
social sectors. A green plan pulls together a society's
intellectual, scientific, and economic resources
to implement a responsible, workable plan for environmental
prosperity.
The
word "green" has strong symbolic value. Although
it is sometimes associated with certain political
factions, its root meaning is neither political
nor ideological. "Green" symbolizes a vibrant, balanced
environment, one that can support a strong economy
and a high quality of life.
Green
plans can be developed for a country, a state, a
region, or a city. The form a particular plan takes
will grow out of a public debate that clarifies
environmental goals and translates them into specific
actions. Any good plan must be long-term and comprehensive.
Green plans consider not only environmental, but
also economic conditions.
Green
planning is becoming a reality around the world.
Already New Zealand, the Netherlands, and Singapore
have functioning green plans, while nations such
as Norway and Austria are on their way to developing
them.
