Then, industry efforts can fit as one significant part of a well-developed whole. Formulating a national sustainable development strategy is the task of the President's Council on Sustainable Development, formed two years ago by President Clinton, and on which I serve. The Council brings together 25 leaders from government, business, and the environmental community to craft a national strategy for sustainable development. This is the first time that such a diverse group has come together to address these national issues and find common ground. Cooperation and consensus won't happen overnight, but the President's Council on Sustainable Development is a giant step in the right direction.
Dialogue is much more constructive than treating each other as adversaries.
If we can find a few common areas on which to agree, then perhaps we can set aside other differences to make progress toward the greater goals of sustainability. The group is developing policy recommendations for the President that focus on integrating economic, environmental, and social issues. It is mandatory that we be successful on all three fronts, not trade off one against the other. Sustainable development cannot happen without substantive changes in the way we consume energy. Economic policy .