We’re excited to meet the Lopez community members and engage in some interesting conversations. Here’s what’s coming up first on Lopez island:

Islands are an increasing focus of interest as potential crucibles of sustainable development. We are working with a Washington State island community to develop a plan to transition to zero net energy and minimal environmental footprint by the year 2025.

Lopez Island is located in the San Juan Island archipelago in the Puget Sound, with an area of 29.5 square miles and a population of 2500 year-round residents. This project is an opportunity to utilize data and analysis towards envisioning meaningful social transformations.

We’ve organized ourselves into research teams in the following focus areas: Electricity & Heating; Transportation; and Agriculture, Water & Waste Management.

Drawing from literature on sustainability and social transformation, renewable energy and energy efficiency, and case studies of communities engaged in transitions to sustainable resource use, we will work with local stakeholders to develop a feasible Sustainability Plan for Lopez Island.

We welcome your comments and suggestions.