How can environmental statistics and metrics serve to effectively inform the public, policymakers, and the media? On 23 April 2013, Tanja Srebotnjak and Cathy Schechter of Ecologic Institute's San Mateo Office offered a sneak peak into the 2013 Sustainable San Mateo County Indicators 17th edition Report, the longest continuously running local indicator report in the U.S.

The presentation and discussion highlighted what progress San Mateo County made in supporting a vibrant economy, a just and equitable society and a healthy environment. The county is located just south of San Francisco and north of Silicon Valley and is buzzing with entrepreneurial spirit that helps its recovery from the effects of the Great Recession of 2008-2009. However, many challenges remain, from global climate change to local hotspots of poverty and social exclusion. The Indicator Report brings the facts out into the open and serves as a useful reference to residents, elected officials, business owners, teachers and many more.

The event examined effective routes of communication between environmental policymakers on the one hand and scientists and statisticians on the other.

The event took place at Johns Hopkins Washington, DC Center that kindly supported the event.