Pittsburgh is creating a global model for "sustainable prosperity," one that rides out rapid swings in the economy. The region's remarkable transformation has become an international curiosity. Last year's G-20 Summit helped re-introduce Pittsburgh to the world. Now another global accolade has come our way. The United Nations appointed Pittsburgh North America's host for World Environment Day on June 5.

Clearly we are getting some profoundly important things right. And we strengthen our positive reputation by acknowledging challenges and reforms are still needed.

The Heinz History Center's newest exhibition, Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation, hits the mark regarding our competitive edge, as innovation is a precursor of sustainable development. In the international competition for the good life, advantage is found in being adept at seeing challenges and opportunities well in advance and being proactive.

Cultivating the ability to correct course, innovate and learn is critical to sustaining -- to being around for another day. Businesses, communities, and regions hasten their success by cultivating this capacity. It's no surprise sustainability is paying off as consumers, markets, employees, investors, etc. line up to favor businesses that are good stewards of people, planet and profits.

Central to Pittsburgh's example is the pivotal role restoration of nature and corporate social responsibility is playing on the road to economic recovery. We are now recognized globally as a green leader. The quickening pace of "going green" is true to our tradition of innovation. Particularly during this tough economy, real savings and other material benefits result from increasing energy efficiency; recycling and reusing; and adding more jobs in response to consumer demand for environmentally benign new products and industries.

But going for the "green" is only part of the promise of sustainability. You're not sustainable without shoring up the social equity too. Isn't it a happy compensation that caring for people, as well as for nature, also pays! Our region's innovation-forward capacity is now put to the test in how completely we cement diversity and inclusion as the central regional strategy for prosperity.

Indeed, our report, "Inclusion in the Workforce: Positioning the Pittsburgh Region to Prosper and Compete" shows racial equity and inclusion are directly tied to a region's economic health. Turns out a diverse workforce plays an even more critical role in improving economic competitiveness for slower growth regions like Pittsburgh.

Sustainable thinking is a proxy for good management and is driving the sorting out of the industrial landscape now underway. Trying economic times highlight the best reasons to apply sustainable development principles because the payoffs are accentuated. Businesses that see sustainability as a top-management strategy, rather than just a compliance issue, will win.

For businesses and our region, what better time to:

• lift more communities of color into the workforce and address the disparities gap;

• abandon lending and pricing models that reward wasteful use of energy;

• promote investments in renewable sources and efficiency improvements that have long-term benefits and payoffs;

• provide work by investing in healthy ecosystems to harness their free natural services of absorbing stormwater, providing food, cleansing the air and water, and substituting for costly built infrastructure;

• urge businesses of all types to train an employee as Sustainability Officer and expand professional networks such as Champions for Sustainability, facilitated by Sustainable Pittsburgh;

• retool our region's fuel use from petroleum-based to natural gas (as a bridge while bringing renewable energy on-line) in order to use the Marcellus Shale gas right here and cut greenhouse emissions;

• commit to developing the Marcellus gas without tainting other precious resources -- in doing so we will lead the world in sustainable energy solutions rather than end up on the wrong side of history;

• catalyze our region's significant water industry as an economic driver in providing water solutions here and around the world;

• invest in companies that promote green jobs and spur green markets;

• lower energy consumption, reduce excess packaging and virgin material to put "eco-efficiency" to work and reduce operating costs;

• emphasize reinvestment in existing communities over suburban sprawl;

• surmount inefficiencies inherent in our region's high municipal fragmentation by devising new incentives and requirements for multi-municipal cooperation and shared services; and

• mobilize community participation in the Power of 32 (32 counties, four states, one vision) regional visioning effort that will be deployed this year.

These are profitable, repeatable, renewable, and just initiatives in keeping with the gravity of the Pittsburgh region serving as North America's host for World Environment Day. Go to www.pittsburghwed.com to see the remarkable amount of activity already unfolding and make your own commitment.

By moving on these business-oriented, sustainability-driven opportunities southwestern Pennsylvania will continue to earn international attention and make good on our tradition of innovation.

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