In 1993, we were asked what we could do to address Houston’s environmental problems. Our answer was pretty simple identify the problems with the greatest risks and develop ideas to reduce those risks. We called this process “Foresight.” At that time, there was little in the way of a comprehensive understanding of the region’s issues and even less in the way of comprehensive information. The best model around in Houston was the Galveston Bay National Estuary Program, which utilized good scientific information and involved stakeholders. The idea of “developing foresight” was remote. With support from Houston Endowment, EPA, business sponsors and governmental agencies, we were able to move forward.

In 1996, Foresight issued its findings about which problems posed the greatest risk. This month after two years of hard work by many, many people in the region, Houston Environmental Foresight is poised to issue three reports that we hope will help set the region’s agenda for improving this place where we live, work and play. The reports offer ideas, suggestions, and strategies. The reports often look beyond current regulatory timelines to longer-term solutions. Some ideas are extensions of what has already begun while others are entirely new approaches.

The reports address the four highest ranked issues: outdoor air pollution, indoor contamination, inadequate parks and open space, and habitat loss and alteration. They also include the five issues ranked “High” in Phase 1 of Foresight: water pollution, flooding, hazardous material and waste, lead in homes and soil, and contaminated and abandoned sites.

In their wisdom, the 140+ participants organized themselves into three work groups: (1) air, (2) greenspace/water, and (3) toxins and contaminants. These are the topics of the three reports that will be released soon. We’ve tried to summarize the recommendations, but there are literally hundreds. The simplest way is to review the goals of each report. For example, the Greenspace Work Group developed 12 goals. Each goal is followed by a series of recommendations with the rationale and supporting information. Example goals are:

• Acquire, preserve, enhance and create more habitat, greenspace, and storm water retention areas.
• Coordinate planning, acquisition and management of habitat, parks, and greenspace on a regional basis.
• Employ best management practices for land use in the region

The Air Work Group developed ideas for fundamental regional changes such as new approaches to growth and development, the benefits of an industrial ecology approach, and the need for expanded transportation choices.

Several participants noted common themes as recommendations evolved: the need for regional decision-making and planning; public education and awareness; and the importance of information, data and research.

The next steps will start Phase 3 of Houston Environmental Foresight. The reports will be widely disseminated to elected officials and community leaders. During the next two years there will be workshops and conferences that focus on the issues and recommendations. Work groups will be invited to participate in developing projects or programs that can move the recommendations forward. 

To truly develop foresight, we will need to work together to create the tools for measuring, monitoring and evaluating progress. We will need the tools that will allow us to look further into the future in ways we have not been able to do in the past better planning, better modeling, better visioning. Most important, we will need people in the Houston region to participate in bringing their foresight and wisdom to the table as we consider the future.