At ACAT we are working to promote sustainable economic development on several fronts:

Membership Development

We constantly seek to enlarge and connect the network of forward-thinking individuals concerned with Alaska's future. Sustainable development can play the central role in diversifying our economy, providing meaningful jobs while protecting the healthy ecosystems we treasure.

Our Coalition for Sustainable Development project actively promotes discussion of new and sustainable economic options through presentations to business and community groups, serving to educate Alaskans, build our membership, and raise our profile. Member Russell deforest of Fairbanks is the project leader, and has begun presenting information about sustainable development to business and civic groups. You can help us promote sustainability with your membership!

Networking

We actively participate in efforts to develop a diverse, stable and sustainable economy for Alaska. For example, our executive director sits on the steering committee for the Alaska 20/20 planning process, a project of the Alaska Humanities Forum which seeks both a sustainable economy and healthy environment. We also use the Internet to keep our members informed of developing technologies and events related to sustainable economic development.

Recently, our executive director was asked to assist as a Sustainable Development "liaison," working as a non-partisan point of contact within the conservation community and between the conservation, business and Native communities. This demonstrates our recent success in raising ACAT's profile and networking capabilities.

Education

An important part of our mission is to educate people about the sustainable alternatives developed elsewhere that can be adapted to our unique climatic, geographic and cultural conditions. For instance, we have organized an evening presentation by two of Alaska's hydrogen fuel cell experts - to present and discuss the issues surrounding the potential use of fuel cells in Alaska. In the past we have developed both large conferences and small workshops on issues relating to sustainable development.

Project Development

ACAT staff and members lead and assist with projects to research, demonstrate and apply sustainable economic development technologies. Some of our past projects are highlighted elsewhere on this site, and we are currently seeking funding for projects to:

• Increase the network of people and organizations aware of and supporting sustainable development as an economic engine for Alaska,
• Educate utility, community and business leaders about hydrogen fuel cells and other alternative methods to produce electricity, and
• Develop an electronic database and information clearinghouse organized around the principles of sustainability, especially as it relates to northern latitudes.

Do you believe Alaskans can have meaningful jobs AND a healthy environment? Do you want to support efforts to develop a diverse, stable and sustainable Alaskan economy? Please help us by becoming a member!