Healthy communities, economies, and ecosystems are common objectives across many urban centers and communities, but information, resources, and best practices on how to achieve these objectives are still scarce. Policy is one effective way to address key sustainability challenges and opportunities, but outside of recent green building and climate policy efforts, cities and communities have not used policy to its full potential as an instrument for change. Sustainable Seattle believes that policy at the city and community level can be an effective way to address key sustainability challenges and opportunities. 
PHOCUS will be an on-line resource. It will include two components: one a resource for policy makers. The other, a resource for citizens that provides the contents of the book “Citizen’s Guide to Democracy” in an online format. Over time, PHOCUS will convene meetings and conferences, initiate projects and build capacity in our community.