Identifying environmental conditions with questions about municipal or government services can stimulate citizen discussion about the relationship between the environment and community carrying capacity. Identifying areas in which the carrying capacity is being reduced or maintained will provide policy makers information about whether or not their decisions are increasing or decreasing sustainability. Furthermore, conducting a community survey can help public officials know where their citizens stand on environmental sustainability issues and what educational efforts, if any, are needed. Economic Sustainability Elected officials often make policy decisions that affect an area's economic sustainability. To be sustainable, economic development efforts in local communities must focus on human needs and seek ways to meet them, inexpensively and equitably, while protecting the environment.
Resident surveys provide an important tool for needs-based planning.
Issues such as personal income, where residents shop, taxation policy, and government services are all part of needs based planning strategies that will maintain or enhance economic sustainability. Information about purchasing decisions will aid public officials and private sector investors in determining the amount of income leakage that occurs. Strategies that encourage people to buy locally are an important component of economic sustainability and greater self reliance. The need for local purchasing of commodities also applies to business firms and public agencies. Communities in which many production and value-added activities are conducted locally experience sustainability because it keeps more income and jobs within the immediate geographic area.