“Developing sustainable solutions to wicked problems in the community commons“
Mission
The Sustainable Systems Research Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit green think tank based in Santa Cruz, California, whose ultimate goal is to provide education, research, and advocacy to help sustain our communities and the planet for present and future generations.
The Problem
Among the most critical societal challenges of the next 50 years are the rapidly-growing and linked ecological and social crises arising from stresses on supplies of energy, water, and food. These crises are not simply about the adequacy of supply relative to demand, they are also the result of the complex social relations within and among societies, in the past, present, and future. There is a crying need for research, education and advocacy that can help to mitigate, if not ameliorate these crises.
The Solution
We are directed towards a global, multi-generational project of designing and building a sustainable and just civilization on the ground through pragmatic, well-designed, replicable, and scalable implementation of sustainable systems policy, education, research, and infrastructure based on emerging best practices. We seek to develop cooperative projects and programs with partners in the public, private, and non-profit sectors, including educational institutions, students exploring a future in the green economy, local governments, businesses, non-governmental organizations, and interested citizens.
Focus & Approach
SSRF’s focuses are local, national and global, with particular commitment to environmental issues and policies in the Monterey Bay region, the Central Coast and Northern California. These include next generation sustainable energy production and distribution; urban agriculture; water infrastructure; waste reduction; transportation policy; urban land use planning; affordable housing design and development; and sustainability education. We pursue development of sustainability-related curricula and their delivery; public policy analysis; hands-on community-based research and green enterprise; and public advocacy and outreach. We accomplish these goals through collaboration with educational, public, and community partners.
Sustainable Systems Research Foundation
Welcome to SSRF!
Mission
The Sustainable Systems Research Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit green think tank based in Santa Cruz, California, whose ultimate goal is to provide education, research, and advocacy to help sustain our communities and the planet for present and future generations.
The Problem
Among the most critical societal challenges of the next 50 years are the rapidly-growing and linked ecological and social crises arising from stresses on supplies of energy, water, and food. These crises are not simply about the adequacy of supply relative to demand, they are also the result of the complex social relations within and among societies, in the past, present, and future. There is a crying need for research, education and advocacy that can help to mitigate, if not ameliorate these crises.
The Solution
We are directed towards a global, multi-generational project of designing and building a sustainable and just civilization on the ground through pragmatic, well-designed, replicable, and scalable implementation of sustainable systems policy, education, research, and infrastructure based on emerging best practices. We seek to develop cooperative projects and programs with partners in the public, private, and non-profit sectors, including educational institutions, students exploring a future in the green economy, local governments, businesses, non-governmental organizations, and interested citizens.
Focus & Approach
SSRF’s focuses are local, national and global, with particular commitment to environmental issues and policies in the Monterey Bay region, the Central Coast and Northern California. These include next generation sustainable energy production and distribution; urban agriculture; water infrastructure; waste reduction; transportation policy; urban land use planning; affordable housing design and development; and sustainability education. We pursue development of sustainability-related curricula and their delivery; public policy analysis; hands-on community-based research and green enterprise; and public advocacy and outreach. We accomplish these goals through collaboration with educational, public, and community partners.
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