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City of Arden Hills - Comprehensive Plan - DRAFT <br />While this chapter focuses on environmentally sustainability, this chapter is not <br />independent from the other chapters in this Comprehensive Plan. This particular <br />chapter discusses the overarching policies, practices, information, and <br />implementation techniques that apply throughout the Plan. There are policies, tools, <br />and implementation techniques in other chapters that directly relate to environmental <br />conservation and sustainability, though may not be repeated in this chapter. The <br />goal of this chapter is to recognize the importance of conservation and sustainability <br />as well as to coordinate these efforts in the Plan. This chapter is an integral part and <br />is intended to enhance the other chapters in the Comprehensive Plan. <br />Two major challenges are helping to drive sustainable design: peak oil and climate <br />change. Both of these issues pose uncertain future risks that face all of society. <br />Peak oil refers to the idea that the world is nearing the peak of oil production. While <br />additional oil supplies are being discovered, rising world demand and decreasing <br />supply will almost certainly lead to higher costs for energy supplies. Climate change <br />is widely believed to be occurring due to increasing carbon dioxide in the <br />atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels. Both phenomena are creating changes <br />in economies and ecosystems at the global, regional and local levels that cannot be <br />easily predicted. For local governments — responsible for managing local public <br />services and planning for future land use and transportation — this new uncertainty <br />creates a wide variety of risks and vulnerabilities. Therefore, it is important to plan <br />and set goals on how to meet these challenges. <br />12.1 What is Sustainability and Sustainable Design? <br />Sustainability: The concept of meeting present needs without compromising the <br />ability of future generations to meet their needs. <br />Sustainable Design: Design that seeks to avoid depletion of energy, water and raw <br />material resources; prevent environmental degredation caused by facility and <br />infrastructure development over their life cycle; and create environments that are <br />livable, comfortable, and safe and that promote productivity. <br />12.2 Green Building Practices <br />The world and national focus is toward overall improved design of all types of <br />buildings to conserve energy and produce a healthier living environment. Leading <br />programs are Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), and the US <br />Green Building Council. Both of theseprganizations are leading the way along with <br />the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, MN Pollution Control Agency, and <br />American Institute of Architects in jJevelopinq rating systems. <br />DRAFT 90 <br />5/1/2008 <br />r <br />'I Deleted: organization <br />Deleted: and <br />I Formatted: Font: (Default) Arial, 10 <br />1 pt <br />Formatted: Font: (Default) Anal, 10 <br />j pt <br />-Deleted: developing rating �' <br />