ABSTRACT
Sustainability indicators can be an important tool in helping individuals, institutions, communities and societies make different and better choices about their futures. Sustainability indicators are supposed to help one understand what is happening to those attributes of the earth which make existence possible and pleasurable. Indicators are categorised into three types – distinct indicators, comparative indicators, and directional indicators. The tables in the United Nations Development Programme’s annual Human Development Report, the Oregon Benchmark’s and governmental statistical reports on population, employment, and so on are examples of distinct indicators. Directional indicators are less focused upon numerical representations and more focused upon action. The City of Seattle, all of the suburban communities within King County and the County itself were all engaged in developing comprehensive plans. Communities all over the world in vastly different economic, political, social and environmental circumstances are experimenting with ways and means to develop indicators for the neighbourhood, community or nation.
