In design, the Cascadia Scorecard is simple. It is seven indicators. Its creation, however, was complex. Sightline Institute selected the indicators from a list of nearly 1,000 candidates during three years of research.

In addition to primary and secondary research, the selection process involved formal consultations with more than 40 leading experts, extensive peer review of individual indicators and of the index overall, in-depth interviews with a dozen opinion leaders, three formal focus group discussions, and scores of informal discussions with diverse audiences.

Sightline chose the components of the Scorecard because they passed seven tests:

1. They reflect progress toward the Northwest's shared aspirations of healthy, prosperous people and thriving, unpolluted ecosystems.

2. They complement one another to provide a good range of coverage of different aspects of human well-being and of environmental conditions and stresses.

3. They are scientifically valid proxies for the larger trends they aim to reflect.

4. They are easy to understand.

5. They can be measured in most of Cascadia.

6. They are relevant in most of the region.

7. They give meaningful readings at least every two years.

The components of the Scorecard are few so that it tells the most important stories. Yet each Scorecard indicator actually reflects an array of major concerns for the future. Some--such as health, economy, and forests--measure progress toward northwesterners' ultimate ends, such as good health, shared prosperity, and ecological integrity.

Others--such as energy and sprawl--track underlying trends that systematically move the region toward or away from those ends. Still others--such as population and pollution--serve as proxies for both ends and means.

Together, these indicators give the long view on Cascadia's future.

More information:

Cascadia Scorecard's seven indicators