Environmental sustainability cannot be achieved – or even worked towards – without social sustainability. We made the above statement in an editorial a few weeks back when we were discussing projects related to our agood company humanium metal pen. In light of events happening in the world right now—Black Lives Matter, Pride Month—we wanted to further explore what social sustainability is in relation to inclusivity, and why both are important in our fight against climate change and environmental degradation. Quick links Social sustainability, what is it? Everyone benefits from inclusivity Activists in arms Should we treat the environment as human? What can you do? Why including everyone is important for a healthy planet? Inspiring activists and groups advocating for human rights Social sustainability, what is it? “Sustainability has always been linked to a core concept of human need so it is a fundamental contradiction to believe it can be achieved without improved social equity and social progress.” – Maria Adebowale When discussing sustainability most people tend to focus more on environmental or economic issues and overlook the third tier. The truth is that sustainability is multilayered and depends a great deal on supporting social infrastructures and cohesion. Think strong laws, democracy, peace, education, health, human rights and equality. This is the essence of social sustainability — an inclusive society aimed at the continuous improvement of the quality of life on Earth for both current and future generations. Everyone benefits from inclusivity A key part of social sustainability; an inclusive society is one in which everybody is treated equally and is supported to access the means to make decisions and participate in public life, regardless of their race, gender, sexuality, age, disability, etc. Evidence tells us that a more inclusive society leads to an improved society for all, not just minority groups. Benefits are peace, economic prosperity, and better overall decision making. It’s no great stretch, then, to see how greater inclusivity is an important part of environmental sustainability too. Simply, societies are more resilient, and more people are empowered to contribute to solutions. For further reading, here’s a study outlining all the benefits. Unfortunately, it’s often minority groups who are most affected by climate change and environmental damage, creating a vicious cycle of further inequality. Activists in arms For the above reason, there is a lot of crossover between environmental activism and social activism on the part of minorities. Many, such as the inspirational wastefreemarie, make the argument that they are two sides of the same coin. Minorities tend to live in marginal, exposed areas and are more susceptible to the impacts of climate change and pollution. They’re also less likely to receive help from governments in times of crisis. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of governments and central banks have moved to support economies and protect the most vulnerable members of society by handing out money and investing in public projects. As part of these stimulus packages, many groups are calling for a ‘green deal’ that promotes both social and environmental development. This would be through a combination of the creation of jobs in the green sector and sustainable initiatives such as pedestrianising cities to decrease pollution. The benefits, both for the society and the environment, are there to be had. Should we treat the environment as human? How about going the ultimate distance and treating the environment as a person and award it similar rights? This has actually been tried in some places and is gaining some traction worldwide. In 2008, Ecuador became the first country to include the rights of nature in its constitution. The process was backed by an Indigenous group that said that enshrining the rights of nature would expand their collective rights as indigenous peoples. Often it is such minority groups who are nature’s natural guardians, but it was actually an American couple who first used the law to sue a mining company and successfully protect the rights of a river. Since Ecuador, two more countries have followed suit and a number of countries have given similar rights to ecosystems like rivers, for example the Ganges in India and Taranaki in New Zealand. What can you do? “No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion.” – Nelson Mandela Ensuring an inclusive society which everyone can participate in and feels a part of is beneficial for everyone, and will make us better prepared to face the challenges on the horizon. Discrimination takes place at a local, national and international level. For those of us in more fortunate positions, it’s vital to lead by example and make sure our actions don’t discriminate against vulnerable and marginalised groups. Part of this is showing your support to movements, such as Black Lives Matter and Pride, that fight for the rights of minorities by amplifying their voices, signing petitions and making donations if you can. So, why including everyone is important for a healthy planet? To make our world better and more sustainable, we have to think about not just the environment but also how people are treated. When we say "social sustainability," we mean making sure everyone is treated fairly and has a good life, no matter their race, gender, or background. Including everyone is not just the right thing to do; it also helps everyone in society. When we treat everyone equally, it brings peace, makes our economy better, and helps us make smarter decisions together. This fairness is crucial for dealing with big issues like climate change. Unfortunately, often, the negative impacts of environmental problems hit minority groups the hardest, creating even more inequality. That's why it's important for people who care about the environment to also care about social issues. So, what can you do? Treat everyone with respect, support movements that fight for the rights of all, and contribute to making the world a fairer place. Inspiring activists and groups advocating for human rights Here’s a list of some inspirational human rights activists and groups to follow and support: @Wastefreemarie - climate and racial justice activist Peter Tatchell - human rights activist and LGBT campaigner @Daddydarkrdc - musician and minority rights activist Reni Eddo-Lodge - anti-racism activist and author of ‘Why I’m Not Talking to White People About Race Any More’ Amnesty International - a global movement of campaigners for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all We will be updating this list continuously so feel free to send us tips and ideas on what to include! Just send an email to Emilia Cullborg, Editor and Head of Communication & Community Outreach.