Author: Donella Meadows
Date: 1998

Abstract: This paper grew out of a five-day workshop on sustainable development indicators attended by a small subset of the two hundred members of the Balaton Group. Indicators are partial reflections of reality, based on uncertain and imperfect models. We need many indicators because we have many worldviews — but indicators may help narrow the differences between worldviews. Despite their difficulties and uncertainties, we can’t manage without indicators. The search for indicators is evolutionary. The necessary process is one of learning. Development and sustainability are old problems; now they come together on a global scale and in an urgent time frame. Sustainability indicators must be more than environmental indicators; they must be about time and/or thresholds. Development indicators should be more than growth indicators; they should be about efficiency, sufficiency, equity, and quality of life.
Tags: Data sourcing, Data to action, Indicator Framework, Indicator history, Indicator selection, Partnering & collaboration, Sustainability, Sustainable development,
Link to Resource: http://www.donellameadows.org/wp-content/userfiles/IndicatorsInformation.pdf

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