General Information about Indicators Sustainable Community Indicators Indicators are bits of information that highlight what is happening in the large system. For example, the Dow Jones Industrial Average is an indicator of the health of the stock market. It doesn't include every stock, but covers a representative sample. Trends in that sample closely match trends in the stock market as a whole.
Indicators are also like the gauges and dials of an aircraft's instrument panel.
By designing them carefully, watching them closely, and interpreting them wisely, we know the status of our flight and can make good decisions about where to go. Not just any piece of data tells you what you need to know about sustainability. Reflect something basic and fundamental to the long term economic, social, or environmental health of a community over generations. Sampled on a regular basis Have carefully established baselines Accepted by the community. Provide a way of measuring significant trends without entailing major new expense for data collection Attractive to local media.