The Center for Earth Leadership trains and supports citizens in all walks of life who seek to assume a leadership role in creating a sustainable future.  As lifelong citizens of Portland, our thinking in creating the Center for this purpose included the following threads.

            Within the Northwest, citizens must provide the leadership to create a truly sustainable culture.  Public agencies, politicians, and businesses will follow.  In assuming a leadership role, we must act with urgency and hope.  The time is now.

            The path to a sustainable future is not clear.  We know it will require a significant reduction in per capita use of energy, resources, and toxic chemicals, including those used in production, transportation, and final disposition of products.

            As citizens, we can begin work today in four arenas: (a) we can reduce our personal impact on the earth; (b) we can be agents of change in our circles of influence such as workplaces, neighborhoods, and schools; (c) we can make demands for change on others such as elected officials, businesses, retail stores, and other entities where we have the standing of constituent; and (d) we can spend money directly in line with the culture we would like to see.  For example, if we wish to see locally-owned store-front businesses flourish, we will purchase goods from them, and we will avoid shopping on the internet or at transnational retail outlets like Wal-Mart.

            We know from life experience that motivation is the key to earth leadership.  As humans, we evolved to respond to our immediate circumstances.  In doing so, we assured survival of our species.  On the other hand, we do not easily respond to threats that seem remote in time and space.

            Nevertheless, we also know that each of us has an immense capacity to be a motivated, self-actualized creator of a sustainable culture.  This requires a positive vision and the intention to make it a reality.

            Earth leadership is being intentional, within personal circumstances, in taking steps to create your vision of a sustainable culture.  No first step is too small. No guiding vision is too grand.

Jeanne and Dick Roy
Co-Founders, Center for Earth Leadership