When we talk about sustainability, we need to zoom out to recognize the deep connections we as a people have with our environment. If we only think about practicing sustainability from a traditional environmental perspective, focusing only on ecosystems and conservation, it is easy to lose sight of these connections. Keeping a primarily ecological view such as this one makes it easy to fall into the trap of thinking that nature exists separately from people, and ignoring the perspectives and realities of much of the world.
This thought process neglects the distinctly social dimensions of climate change. It does not acknowledge the disproportionate impact of a warming environment on low income BIPOC communities, especially those in the Global South.
As climate change is not only an ecological, but also a social issue, it is important that the strategies we take to combat it are similarly wide in scope. Social justice is tied to the health of our ecosystems, and justice for one cannot be achieved without the other.
The Campus Sustainability Fund has put together a resource guide, providing knowledge on topics of environmental justice and intersectional environmentalism. The resource guide addresses topics such as food sovereignty, the Just Transition, Indigenous rights, and intersectional theory. Recommendations range from books, to podcasts, and even films. It can be overwhelming to start learning, but this guide provides many of the steps to begin.
The UW Libraries also has a research guide to Environmental Justice, with reading lists on a variety of topics along with suggested documentaries available through library resources.
Climate change is rooted in extraction and exploitation - not only of our lands, but also our people. The impacts of climate change are deeply racialized, and have exacerbated the crises faced by communities across the world. As environmental justice is interconnected with social justice, we must have solidarity across movements. Caring for those around us, connecting with community, and staying educated on contemporary issues are key to this. In bringing sustainability into our lives, we must not lose sight of this bigger picture.