Sustainable Development Indicator (SDI) Group

SDI Inventory, Organized by Sponsoring Organization

Sustainable Development Indicator (SDI) Group

SDI Group Indicators

Acid Lakes (358)

Definition: Number of standing lakes, streams, and receivers with high ph level resulting from excess Sulfuric and Nitric acid.

Issue: Environment Quality/Acidification

SDI Framework Element: Water systems

Water systems Characteristic: Number of Water Bodies

Acid Rain (357)

Definition: Area of land with high ph level resulting from excess Sulfuric and Nitric acid.

Issue: Environment Quality/Acidification

SDI Framework Element: Ecosystems, Land

Ecosystems, Land Characteristic: Area of Land

Acts of Terrorism (363)

Definition: Number of terrorist acts within the United States

Issue: Social Cohesion/Terrorism

SDI Framework Element: Social Conflict

Social Conflict Characteristic: Number of Acts

Agriculture Land Conversion (415)

Definition: Prime agricultural land area converted to urban use per year

Issue: Land Use/Urbanization

SDI Framework Element: Agricultural Land

Agricultural Land Characteristic: Area of Land

Capital Assets (425)

Definition: Total value, in dollars, of US tangible reproducible capital, excluding all public infrastructure, as defined in the National Asset Accounts

Issue: Infrastructure/Capital Investment

SDI Framework Element: Tangible Reproducible Capital

Tangible Reproducible Capital Characteristic: Amount of Money Spent

CloroFlorCarbon Production (135)

Definition: CloroFlorCarbons production

Issue: Climate/Stratospheric Ozone Depletion

SDI Framework Element: Emissions into Air

Emissions into Air Characteristic: Volume of CloroFlorCarbons

Community Groups (127)

Definition: Number of community groups

Issue: Social Cohesion/Participation

SDI Framework Element: Community Service Organizations

Community Service Organizations Characteristic: Number of Community Groups

Consumption Expenditures Per Capita (125)

Definition: Total dollar value of goods and services purchased by consumers per year as defined in the National Income Accounts.

Issue: Economic Performance/Economic Productivity

SDI Framework Element: Economic Output

Economic Output Characteristic: Value

Contaminants in Biota (432)

Definition: Chemical contaminants in Land, estuarine, & marine biota

Issue: Environment Quality/Contamination of Biota

SDI Framework Element: Biota Population

Biota Population Characteristic: Amount of Pollutants

Crime Rate (449)

Definition: Overall crime rate for the United States

Issue: Social Cohesion/Crime

SDI Framework Element: Human Relationships

Human Relationships Characteristic: Number of Crimes

Deposition of Atmospheric Nitrogen (359)

Definition: Amount of atmospheric nitrogen absorbed into water bodies.

Issue: Environment Quality/Eutrophication

SDI Framework Element: Water Capacity

Water Capacity Characteristic: Amount of Nitrogen

Desertification Rate (397)

Definition: Land area converted to desert per year

Issue: Climate/Desertification

SDI Framework Element: Barren Land

Barren Land Characteristic: Area of Desert Land

Discrimination Cases (408)

Definition: Number of racial discrimination cases brought before Unites States courts

Issue: Equity/Social Discrimination

SDI Framework Element: Social Conflict

Social Conflict Characteristic: Number of Crimes

Distance to Library (395)

Definition: Average distance to public library

Issue: Education/Information Access

SDI Framework Element: Community

Community Characteristic: Distance

Divorce Rate (132)

Definition: divorce rate

Issue: Social Cohesion/Family Functioning

SDI Framework Element: Families and Households

Families and Households Characteristic: Number of Divorces

Drug Abusers (365)

Definition: Number of people suffering from drug addiction, including alcohol.

Issue: Individual/Drug Abuse

SDI Framework Element: Population

Population Characteristic: Number of People

Ecosystem Diversity (385)

Definition: Area of threatened ecosystems organized by type

Issue: Biodiversity/Changing Biodiversity

SDI Framework Element: Ecosystem Diversity

Ecosystem Diversity Characteristic: Area of Land

Ecosystem Fragmentation (383)

Definition: Area of fragmented ecosystem types

Issue: Biodiversity/Changing Biodiversity

SDI Framework Element: Ecosystem Diversity

Ecosystem Diversity Characteristic: Area of Land

Education Funding (131)

Definition: Total funding for schools

Issue: Education/Education Infrastructure

SDI Framework Element: Expenditures

Expenditures Characteristic: Amount of Money Spent

Energy Consumption by Use (362)

Definition: Total Energy consumed organized by use (construction, transportation, production, heating, etc.)

Issue: Resource/Energy Resources

SDI Framework Element: Finished Fuels and Related Products and Power

Finished Fuels and Related Products and Power Characteristic: Energy

Energy Imports by Type (372)

Definition: Total energy imports organized by fuel type (oil, natural gas, nuclear, wood, etc.)

Issue: Resource/Energy Resources

SDI Framework Element: Finished Fuels and Related Products and Power

Finished Fuels and Related Products and Power Characteristic: Amount of Fossil Fuel

Environmental Technology Sales (399)

Definition: Total amount of money spent of environmental technology

Issue: Environment Quality/Environmental Technology

SDI Framework Element: Expenditures

Expenditures Characteristic: Amount of Money Spent

Facilities Within Walking Distance (406)

Definition: Number of recreational facilities within walking distance of people

Issue: Individual/Recreation

SDI Framework Element: Community

Community Characteristic: Number of Facilities

Faith in Justice (421)

Definition: Number of people who believe the court system is fair

Issue: Infrastructure/Justice

SDI Framework Element: Population

Population Characteristic: Number of Cases

Family Function (433)

Definition: Measure of families effectively performing its basic functions. This serves as a placeholder until a better, more specific measure gets defined.

Issue: Social Cohesion/Family Functioning

SDI Framework Element: Families and Households

Families and Households Characteristic: Number of Divorces

Fish Catch to Growth ratio (428)

Definition: Total fish landings (including by-catch) divided by the fish population growth rate

Issue: Resource/Declining Fisheries

SDI Framework Element: Harvesting of Biota

Harvesting of Biota Characteristic: Amount of Fish

Flood Prone Cities (356)

Definition: Number of urban areas located on flood planes or other areas experiencing a major flood at least once per decade

Issue: Environment Quality/Natural Disasters

SDI Framework Element: Urban

Urban Characteristic: Number of Cities

Fragmented Water Systems (389)

Definition: Number of water systems fragmented from their original condition by human activities

Issue: Resource/Water Resources

SDI Framework Element: Water Systems

Water Systems Characteristic: Number of Water Bodies

Graduates With Jobs (440)

Definition: The total number of high school graduates that obtain jobs within three months of graduation

Issue: Education/Education Infrastructure

SDI Framework Element: Educational Services

Educational Services Characteristic: Amount of Money Spent

Groundwater Contamination (353)

Definition: Area of land with contaminated ground water

Issue: Environment Quality/Contamination of Water

SDI Framework Element: Water Capacity

Water Capacity Characteristic: Area of Land

Groundwater Drawdown (352)

Definition: Change in depth of water table over time

Issue: Resource/Water Resources

SDI Framework Element: Water Capacity

Water Capacity Characteristic: Distance per Time

Hate crimes (407)

Definition: Number of hate crimes committed each year

Issue: Equity/Social Discrimination

SDI Framework Element: Social Conflict

Social Conflict Characteristic: Number of Crimes

Hazardous Waste Accidents (401)

Definition: Number of accidents in hazardous waste handling facilities that released waste into the environment

Issue: Waste/Waste Handling

SDI Framework Element: Waste Production

Waste Production Characteristic: Number of Accidents

Health Care Spending (130)

Definition: health care expenditures

Issue: Health/Health Care Infrastructure

SDI Framework Element: Expenditures

Expenditures Characteristic: Amount of Money Spent

High Growth Urban Areas (360)

Definition: Number of urban areas experiencing a growth rate of greater than 50% per year

Issue: Infrastructure/Public Infrastructure

SDI Framework Element: Urban

Urban Characteristic: Number of Cities

Income Distribution (133)

Definition: distribution of income per capita arranged to show the percentage of the population at various levels of income

Issue: Poverty/Poverty

SDI Framework Element: Economic Output

Economic Output Characteristic: income

Infrastructure Needing Repair (405)

Definition: Dollar value of public infrastructure needing major repairs

Issue: Infrastructure/Public Infrastructure

SDI Framework Element: Public Administration

Public Administration Characteristic: Amount of Money

Invasive Exotic Species (23)

Definition: The total number of invasive species and their distribution in the United States

Issue: Biodiversity/Exotic Species

SDI Framework Element: Introduction of Biota

Introduction of Biota Characteristic: Number of Exotic Species

Investment Per Capita (126)

Definition: investment per capita

Issue: Infrastructure/Capital Investment

SDI Framework Element: Investment

Investment Characteristic: Amount of Money Spent

Lakes With Thermal Pollution (388)

Definition: number of water systems with temperatures that exceed the normal by 5 degrees centigrade

Issue: Environment Quality/Water Quality

SDI Framework Element: Water Systems

Water Systems Characteristic: Number of Water Bodies

Land Conversion Rates (424)

Definition: The conversion rate of one land ecosystem type to another.

Issue: Biodiversity/Habitat Change

SDI Framework Element: Ecosystems, Land

Ecosystems, Land Characteristic: Area

Land Cover (351)

Definition: Area of land ecosystems organized by type

Issue: Biodiversity/Changing Biodiversity

SDI Framework Element: Ecosystems, Land

Ecosystems, Land Characteristic: Area of Land

Lawsuits (417)

Definition: Number of lawsuits per year

Issue: Infrastructure/Runaway Litigation

SDI Framework Element: Governments and Legal Institutions

Governments and Legal Institutions Characteristic: Number of Lawsuits

Lawsuits Damage Awards (419)

Definition: Number of lawsuits per year filed by an individual that result in damage awards that exceed $1 million

Issue: Infrastructure/Runaway Litigation

SDI Framework Element: Governments and Legal Institutions

Governments and Legal Institutions Characteristic: Number of Lawsuits

Lead Emissions (376)

Definition: Amount of Lead emissions

Issue: Environment Quality/Air Quality

SDI Framework Element: Emissions into Air

Emissions into Air Characteristic: Mass

Lumber Harvest Rate (315)

Definition: Volume of lumber harvested per year (km3/annum)

Issue: Land Use/Deforestation

SDI Framework Element: Harvesting of Biota

Harvesting of Biota Characteristic: Volume Lumber per Year

Major Land Use, Including Urban (423)

Definition: The total land area in the United states broken down by major estuarine and land ecosystem. This includes both urban and agricultural land.

Issue: Biodiversity/Habitat Change

SDI Framework Element: Ecosystems, Land

Ecosystems, Land Characteristic: Area

Materials Flow per Gross Domestic Product (430)

Definition: Total metric tons of materials in use divided by total Gross Domestic Product

Issue: Production/Production Efficiency

SDI Framework Element: Economic Processes

Economic Processes Characteristic: Mass of Materials

Materials Use per Capita (429)

Definition: Total metric tons of materials in use divided by total population organized by type, including recycled

Issue: Production/Production Efficiency

SDI Framework Element: Economic Processes

Economic Processes Characteristic: Mass of Materials

Median Wage Level (124)

Definition: median wage level

Issue: Economic Performance/Unemployment

SDI Framework Element: Income

Income Characteristic: Income

Mineral Extraction Rate (402)

Definition: Amount of minerals extracted per year

Issue: Resource/Mineral Reserves

SDI Framework Element: Extraction of NonRenewable Resources

Extraction of NonRenewable Resources Characteristic: Mass of Mineral Reserves

Missing Waste (413)

Definition: Amount of waste unaccounted for in disposal process

Issue: Waste/Waste Handling

SDI Framework Element: Waste Production

Waste Production Characteristic: Mass of Waste

New Exotic Species Rate (426)

Definition: Number of harmful exotic species introduced into the United States each year

Issue: Biodiversity/Exotic Species

SDI Framework Element: Introduction of Biota

Introduction of Biota Characteristic: Number of Exotic Species

Nuclear Waste Production (369)

Definition: Volume of nuclear waste produced per year

Issue: Waste/Nuclear Waste

SDI Framework Element: Waste Production

Waste Production Characteristic: Volume of Nuclear Waste

Number of Abortions (410)

Definition: Number of abortions each year

Issue: Population/Unwanted Pregnancies

SDI Framework Element: Social processes

Social processes Characteristic: Number

Number of Adoptions (411)

Definition: Number of Adoptions each year

Issue: Population/Unwanted Pregnancies

SDI Framework Element: Social processes

Social processes Characteristic: Number

Outdoor Recreation Services (431)

Definition: Total number of visitor days per person attributed to outdoor recreation and tourism

Issue: Individual/Recreation

SDI Framework Element: Recreation and Amenity Services

Recreation and Amenity Services Characteristic: Time

Particulate Emissions (375)

Definition: Amount of particulate emissions

Issue: Environment Quality/Air Quality

SDI Framework Element: Emissions into Air

Emissions into Air Characteristic: Mass

Permanent Nuclear Waste Storage (370)

Definition: Volume of nuclear waste in approved, long term storage facilities

Issue: Waste/Nuclear Waste

SDI Framework Element: Nuclear Waste

Nuclear Waste Characteristic: Volume of Nuclear Waste

Poor Families (404)

Definition: Number of families living below the poverty line

Issue: Poverty/Poverty

SDI Framework Element: Families and Households

Families and Households Characteristic: Number of Families

Population Health (451)

Definition: A placeholder indicator to measure the status of health in the population

Issue: Health/Population Health

SDI Framework Element: Enjoyment of Good Health

Enjoyment of Good Health Characteristic: Time

Prison Capacity (379)

Definition: Maximum allowable number of inmates in Federal, state, and local prisons infrastructure

Issue: Social Cohesion/Crime

SDI Framework Element: Justice, Public Order and Safety

Justice, Public Order and Safety Characteristic: Number of People

Prison Population (378)

Definition: Number of inmates in Federal, state, and local prisons

Issue: Social Cohesion/Crime

SDI Framework Element: Population

Population Characteristic: Number of People

Prosecution Efficiency (420)

Definition: Number of cases tried that result in acquittal due to a legal technicality

Issue: Infrastructure/Justice

SDI Framework Element: Governments and Legal Institutions

Governments and Legal Institutions Characteristic: Number of Cases

Receipt of Health Care (452)

Definition: % of population with adequate access to health care as a function of income level

Issue: Health/Health Care Equity

SDI Framework Element: Health Services

Health Services Characteristic: Number of People

Reduced Range Species (384)

Definition: number of species that occupy a small portion of their former range

Issue: Biodiversity/Changing Biodiversity

SDI Framework Element: Species Diversity

Species Diversity Characteristic: Number of Species

Seasonal Water Bodies (387)

Definition: Number of water bodies with significant seasonal or annual variations

Issue: Resource/Water Resources

SDI Framework Element: Water Systems

Water Systems Characteristic: Number of Water Bodies

Single Parent Families (381)

Definition: Number of families headed by a single parent

Issue: Social Cohesion/Family Functioning

SDI Framework Element: Families and Households

Families and Households Characteristic: Number of Families

Skin Cancer Rate (373)

Definition: Number of people diagnosed with cancerous melanoma per year

Issue: Climate/Stratospheric Ozone Depletion

SDI Framework Element: Population

Population Characteristic: Number of People

Soil Chemistry (394)

Definition: Soil chemical content organized by location (e.g., iso-contours across the United States)

Issue: Resource/Soil Quality

SDI Framework Element: Soil Capacity

Soil Capacity Characteristic: Chemical Content

Soil Moisture Content (392)

Definition: Average seasonal soil moisture organized by location (e.g., iso moisture contours across the United States)

Issue: Resource/Soil Quality

SDI Framework Element: Soil Capacity

Soil Capacity Characteristic: Amount of Water

Soil Nutrients (391)

Definition: Average seasonal nutrient content organized by location (e.g., iso nutrient contours across the United States)

Issue: Resource/Soil Quality

SDI Framework Element: Soil Capacity

Soil Capacity Characteristic: Amount of Nutrients

Soil Structure (393)

Definition: Soil structure (grain size, compaction, etc.) organized by location (e.g., iso-contours across the United States)

Issue: Resource/Soil Quality

SDI Framework Element: Soil Capacity

Soil Capacity Characteristic: Granule size

Soil Types (390)

Definition: Land area organized by soil type

Issue: Resource/Soil Quality

SDI Framework Element: Soil Capacity

Soil Capacity Characteristic: Area of Land

Species Extinction Rate (409)

Definition: Number of species lost to extinction in the United States each year

Issue: Biodiversity/Species Extinction

SDI Framework Element: Species Diversity

Species Diversity Characteristic: Number of Species

Species In Trouble (444)

Definition: The total number of species in trouble in the United States.

Issue: Biodiversity/Species Extinction

SDI Framework Element: Species Diversity

Species Diversity Characteristic: Number of Species

Student Teacher Ratio (439)

Definition: The total number of students (kindergarten through high school) divided by the total number of teachers

Issue: Education/Education Infrastructure

SDI Framework Element: Education and Training

Education and Training Characteristic: Amount of Money Spent

Suicide Rate (380)

Definition: Number of people who commit suicide each year

Issue: Social Cohesion/Alienation

SDI Framework Element: Population

Population Characteristic: Number of People

Teacher Capabilities (437)

Definition: The average capacity or skill level of individual teachers to instruct students

Issue: Education/Education Infrastructure

SDI Framework Element: Educational Institutions

Educational Institutions Characteristic: Amount of Money Spent

Teacher Training Capacity (438)

Definition: The number of trained teachers certified per year

Issue: Education/Education Infrastructure

SDI Framework Element: Educational Institutions

Educational Institutions Characteristic: Amount of Money Spent

Television Viewing Time (435)

Definition: Total number of hours per day of television viewing time per person, as identified by Putnam

Issue: Social Cohesion/Participation

SDI Framework Element: Leisure Time

Leisure Time Characteristic: Time

Terrorist Groups (364)

Definition: Number of terrorist or militant groups that sponsor or stage terrorist acts within the United States

Issue: Social Cohesion/Terrorism

SDI Framework Element: Political and Non Government Organizations

Political and Non Government Organizations Characteristic: Number of Groups

Test Scores by Economic Group (414)

Definition: Standardized achievement test scores organized by economic group

Issue: Education/Education Equity

SDI Framework Element: Educational Services

Educational Services Characteristic: Number of People

Timber Harvest to Growth Ratio (427)

Definition: Total timber harvest divided by total timber growth rate per year

Issue: Resource/Renewable Resources

SDI Framework Element: Harvesting of Biota

Harvesting of Biota Characteristic: Volume

Time with Children (134)

Definition: hours spent with children

Issue: Social Cohesion/Crime

SDI Framework Element: Development Time

Development Time Characteristic: Time

Total Managed Waste (422)

Definition: Total mass of waste managed in man-made facilities in the United States organized by type (including nuclear), by site, and by hazard level. This does not include waste already released in the environment or in abandoned, uncontroled sites.

Issue: Waste/Waste Handling

SDI Framework Element: Waste

Waste Characteristic: Mass of Waste

Toxic Land Area (75)

Definition: Area and percent of land experiencing an accumulation of persistent toxic substances, including superfund and brown field sites

Issue: Environment Quality/Contamination of Soil

SDI Framework Element: Ecosystems, Land

Ecosystems, Land Characteristic: Area of Land

Travel Time in Cars (382)

Definition: Average time spent traveling by individuals in personal passenger cars

Issue: Individual/Recreation

SDI Framework Element: Unusable time

Unusable time Characteristic: Time

TV Viewing Time (129)

Definition: amount of TV watching

Issue: Social Cohesion/Alienation

SDI Framework Element: Leisure Time

Leisure Time Characteristic: Time

Urban Decay (368)

Definition: Number of cities experiencing a sharp decline in population and income within the last 30 years.

Issue: Land Use/Urban Decay

SDI Framework Element: Urban

Urban Characteristic: Number of Cities

Urban Energy Consumption (361)

Definition: Energy consumed in urban areas as a percentage of total energy consumed

Issue: Resource/Energy Resources

SDI Framework Element: Finished Fuels and Related Products and Power

Finished Fuels and Related Products and Power Characteristic: Energy

Urban Migration (412)

Definition: Number of people moving into cities greater than 100,000

Issue: Land Use/Urbanization

SDI Framework Element: Population

Population Characteristic: Area of Land

Volatile Organic Compound Emissions (374)

Definition: Amount of Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions

Issue: Environment Quality/Air Quality

SDI Framework Element: Emissions into Air

Emissions into Air Characteristic: Mass

Voter Sentiments (128)

Definition: voter sentiments

Issue: Social Cohesion/Alienation

SDI Framework Element: Organizing People

Organizing People Characteristic: Number of Voters

Waste Buildup (403)

Definition: Ratio of tons of waste collected to tons of waste produced

Issue: Infrastructure/Poor Sanitation

SDI Framework Element: Waste Production

Waste Production Characteristic: Mass of waste

Water Consumption to Renewal Ratio (447)

Definition: Total water consumed per year divided by the total water resource growth rate per year

Issue: Resource/Water Resources

SDI Framework Element: Economic Processes

Economic Processes Characteristic: Amount of Water

Water Quality Index (446)

Definition: Index of water quality measuring the appropriate concentrations of selected chemical physical, and sanitary constituents of water at stations

Issue: Environment Quality/Water Quality

SDI Framework Element: Water Capacity

Water Capacity Characteristic: Amount of Constituents

Water Shortages (398)

Definition: Number of cities that have oversubscribed the available water resources

Issue: Resource/Water Resources

SDI Framework Element: Urban

Urban Characteristic: Number of Cities

Welfare Dependants (366)

Definition: Number of people receiving financial aid from Federal, state, and local governments. This excludes recipients of Medicare and related programs.

Issue: Poverty/Welfare

SDI Framework Element: Population

Population Characteristic: Number of People

Welfare Spending (367)

Definition: Money spent by Federal, State, and local governments on welfare, except Medicare and related programs.

Issue: Poverty/Welfare

SDI Framework Element: Expenditures

Expenditures Characteristic: Amount of Money Spent

Work Force Skill Level (448)

Definition: The average level of experience, capability, knowledge, and social skills of the individuals in the work force

Issue: Economic Performance/Labor Time Productivity

SDI Framework Element: Capacity for Work

Capacity for Work Characteristic: Level of skill