This study is founded on the belief that “being green” is essential—for our economy, for the environment, for future generations, and for our own health and wellbeing. Over the course of the study, we will explore what that means for Syracuse and Onondaga County and what recommendations would be most appropriate in moving our region toward a “greener”, more sustainable future.

The study will focus on three overarching questions:

• What are we doing “green,” and is it enough? We will begin with a broad overview of ecosystems and sustainability and then assess where we fall in terms of current “green” practices as measured against best practices elsewhere and other benchmarks.
• How can Central New York be more “green”? We will examine other cities that have successfully incorporated “green” policy and practices into their communities. We will highlight communities that model best practices in specific areas (land use planning or transportation, for instance) as well as those that embrace an all-encompassing commitment to sustainability. In all cases, we will focus on cities that share some basic similarities with Syracuse.
• How can we ensure that the decisions we as a community make have a beneficial effect on the environment? How can we go beyond simple actions to become a community that understands, appreciates and embraces a more symbiotic relationship between human needs and the biosphere’s natural resources.

We will attempt to answer these questions through research and public forums/study sessions featuring experts and innovators from higher education, business and industry, national groups and governments. We also will survey public views in order to better gauge how to best approach becoming a more “green” city and region.