With a goal of shifting economic and public policy toward sustainability, Redefining Progress seeks to present a realistic picture of current conditions and engage people in work that improves our global situation.
Activities
Redefining Progress (RP) runs two main program areas—Sustainability Indicators and Sustainability Economics. The Indicators program seeks to provide tools and information to organizations and individuals across the country regarding sustainability and justice. RP believes that sound research and education will help to inform policy decisions and improve our situation. The Sustainable Economics program furthers the belief that environmental sustainability need not come at the expense of economic health and development.
Relevant Project(s)
RP runs projects utilizing its central methodologies—the Genuine Progress Indicator and the Ecological Footprint. In addition, RP works on climate issues, environmental justice, and community development. The organization has numerous publications on indicators, sustainability, and policy decisions, including the Community Indicators Handbook and numerous case studies. RP also provides sustainability analysis services to municipalities and organizations.
Relevant Methodologies
Genuine Progress Indicator and Ecological Footprint are two methodologies that are redefining the way people think about their status and impact on the planet. The Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) is an alternative to the GDP, long used to measure the health and success of nations. The GPI uses similar indicators and evaluation frameworks as the GDP, but also includes variables such as community service and household work, crime, pollution, and family stability. Redefining Progress believes that the GPI presents a more realistic picture of economic health and stability in the region, which also tends to be a less rosy picture. The ecological footprint examines the amount of land required to support an individual (or office, organization, or even nation). Taking into account everything from food and energy use to housing, recreation, and education, the ecological footprint presents a realistic view of a person’s consumption level and the best ways to reduce it.
Region
Work is focused in the United States, with consideration of global issues
More Information
http://www.rprogress.org/index.shtml
California:
1904 Franklin Street, 6th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 444.3041 (phone)
(510) 444.3191 (fax)
D.C.:
1326 14th St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20005