In May 2006 leaders from local industry, education, government, community, First Nations and research and innovation associations gathered together at Lambton College for a two-day workshop to identify new initiatives that would help to ensure long-term sustainable development and prosperity for Sarnia-Lambton. The event was sponsored by the Sarnia-Lambton Environmental Association (SLEA), and was attended by more than 40 participants.
The workshop was designed to build upon the previous Sarnia-Lambton Community Summit workshops and meetings. Over two days, the participants identified opportunities and strategies to pursue new business initiatives such as diversification into bio-based feedstocks, new alternative energy sources and ongoing community educational processes that would help transform Sarnia/Lambton into a global leader in sustainability practices.
These initiatives, along with other identified strategies, will be managed under a broad “Bluewater Sustainability Initiative” (BSI) led by representatives from the city and county, the Sarnia/Lambton Economic Partnership, Lambton College, industry, business and environmental associations, among others.
Rick Van Hemmen, SLEA President and member of the workshop steering team said, “We wanted to bring these leaders together and tap into their expertise to identify ways we could move our community forward. The creativity, collaboration and enthusiasm from everyone was tremendous. We live in a community that has a long history of collaboration, and we now have an opportunity to form even stronger partnerships to ensure our collective prosperity, while minimizing our ecological footprint.” Van Hemmen went on to say, “We have a clear vision, and that is, for Sarnia-Lambton to be recognized worldwide as a hybrid, green community.”
When considering existing or new individual, business, industrial and community practices or projects one must ensure that economic, social and environmental benefits are achieved.
Each person, business, and industry has a role and a responsibility to ensure their individual and collective actions support sustainability.