Over the last year many of us felt the weight of multiple crises bear down on us: as dramatic weather events due to rapid climate fluctuations, alarmingly high rates of species extinction, a global pandemic and ensuing mental health crisis, coupled with the rise of economic and social injustice. These events demonstrate why we need to rethink our systems and they also demonstrate the vital importance of environmental justice. Environmental justice is defined by the Environmental Protection Agency as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies. As we begin to create an alternative vision for a better future for people, animals, and the Earth, we must ensure that all people are given equal opportunities for success. In many communities, people of color are disproportionally impacted by the adverse effects of climate change, but are often not adequately represented in decision making forums to make changes to climate policy.
Prioritizing well-being for all in our domestic policies means we must also prioritize inclusion. While establishing these policies it is important to reflect on what we can learn from individuals from different cultures, countries, and backgrounds. For example, indigenous peoples comprise less than 5% of the world’s population, yet they are responsible for protecting some 80% of global biodiversity. Scientists and governments often fail to recognize- and in some cases have denigrated- the contributions of indigenous and local communities to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem health. Recently, however, researchers have suggested that collaborating with “indigenous land stewards” will be essential in ensuring that species survive and thrive. Well-being is multifaceted and includes physical, mental, and emotional health, access to education, and healthcare, good governance, culture, spirituality, and social, economic and ecological equity. We can begin to move to a new, inclusive future in which society and governments recognize that the social and economic well-being of any one of us is highly dependent on the well-being of all of us in society.
Taylor Mann, OneNature Fellow