Inclusivity in Sustainability

Reaching a sustainable world will require  individuals from diverse backgrounds to assess environmental issues from various perspectives as injustices are not equally distributed and impact people in different ways. Providing equal access to climate discussions will allow the issue to be solved from a broader perspective. This increase in participation will allow multifaceted solutions that address sustainability issues on multiple grounds.

In addition to many individuals’ lack of access to nature and environmentalism, systemic problems further prevent making more sustainable choices and participation in the movement.

Many individuals who live with disabilities rely on vital medical supplies. However, the medical device industry is considered archaic in their transition as they have been very slow to make the changes towards greater sustainability due to rigid regulations in the medical field. This industry has immense levels of waste in order to maintain sterile fields for patient safety using disposable products with heavy packaging (Medical Device Network, 2022). Fortunately, this issue is gaining recognition and has begun to be included in the strive for sustainability as industries search for more sustainable but effective surgical kits (Sandalow, 2022). Moreover, providing additional support for disabled individuals can reduce supplies waste, as this should limit the need for preventable treatments. Including the disabled community in the environmental movement will bring us closer to an environmentally sound world. When considering “other ways of knowing” it is important to allow all voices to be heard. Individuals living with disabilities have unique experiences that must be considered to approach a just transition.

Many low income communities do not have access to more sustainable modes of life, from low impact foods to vehicles. The inaccessibility to more sustainable choices lay in the system that traps individuals in a cycle and prevents their escape. Many communities of color are unequally impacted by environmental injustice. These discrepancies can be mitigated by increasing global inclusion. It has been found that the locations of hazardous waste facilities are associated with minority communities (Maantay, 2002). By simply living in the vicinity of these facilities, an individual’s life can be reduced by 1.2 years on average. They also contribute to numerous health concerns including cancer and developmental disabilities (Taylor, 2022). Moreover, these communities are impacted by corporations or farms polluting their waters. These concerns are often overlooked because policies in place to protect individuals, like the Clean Drinking Water Act, are not enforced or industries find workarounds to exploit communities for their own benefit. In addition, often these communities have limited access to public resources, from grocery stores to parks. Fortunately, there are steps to take to increase inclusion for environmental justice, including public knowledge and awareness through increased education. Individuals need to support one another through advocacy and ensure that their governmental representatives are effectively listening to their constituents (Yale Sustainability, 2022). While currently communities of color are plagued by environmental injustice, through inclusion, society can become more sustainable. 

Increasing women’s inclusion is essential to reaching a more sustainable world. As women are excluded from political and economic roles, environmental conservation is limited and the effects of climate change persist. Additionally, there is a correlation between human destruction of the environment and gender-based violence (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, n.d.). While connections are made between the demographic of those in power to environmental destruction trends, changes in power dynamics continue to be procrastinated. Population growth also can have detrimental impacts on the environment; but granting women access to education, jobs, and family planning will slow population growth by giving women a choice in when and how many children they have (Cornett, 2020). Bringing women into the conversation around environmental protection will create a more sustainable world.

In order to increase societal participation and inclusion to reach sustainability, systemic issues must be broken down. By changing the story for historically neglected communities, as a society, we can create a more sustainable world. To increase global sustainability, everyone must be involved in the effort.

Local efforts

Throughout Vermont there are organizations to help increase inclusivity in the workforce as illustrated by a Star Tribune Article highlighting adults with disabilities thriving. While this form of participation is not directly connected to environmentalism, it is a stepping stone to welcome all individuals into the conversation. 

In the state of Vermont, to ensure increased diversity of perspective in terms of environmental justice meetings follow the DEI Strategy, which is held as a town meeting-like forum to encourage public participation. 

Organizations like VT Audubon have established programs for people of all backgrounds to learn and participate in environmentalism.  

Cornett, Abigail. 2020. “Analyzing the Relationship between Female Education and Fertility Rate Spring 2020 Edition.” https://www.drake.edu/media/departmentsoffices/dussj/2020documents/Cornett%20DUSSJ%202020.pdf.

Kryshtal, Volodymyr . 2019. “Environment, Ecology, Nature Protection Concept. Young Volunteers…” IStock. July 31, 2019. https://www.istockphoto.com/vector/environment-ecology-nature-protection-concept-people-take-care-of-earth-planet-gm1165379982-320654387?phrase=environmental%20conservation%20volunteer.

Lenox, Kelly. 2020. “The NIEHS Conversation on Race, Equity, and Inclusion (Environmental Factor, August 2020).” National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. August 2020. https://factor.niehs.nih.gov/2020/8/feature/1-feature-race.

Maantay, Juliana. 2002. “Mapping Environmental Injustices: Pitfalls and Potential of Geographic Information Systems in Assessing Environmental Health and Equity.” Environmental Health Perspectives 110 (suppl 2): 161–71. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.02110s2161.

Mckee, Patrick. 2020. “Environmental Justice | Office of Sustainability.” University of Connecticut Office of Sustainability . August 16, 2020. https://sustainability.uconn.edu/environmental-justice/.

Medical Device Network. 2022. “Medical Devices and Their Environmental Impact.” Medical Device Network. November 11, 2022. https://www.medicaldevice-network.com/comment/medical-devices-environmental-impact/.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. n.d. “Gender, Inclusiveness and the SDGs – OECD.” Www.oecd.org. https://www.oecd.org/environment/gender-inclusiveness-and-sdg.htm.

Sandalow, Brian. 2022. “The Environmental Impact of Medical Equipment.” Northwestern Engineering. September 22, 2022. https://www.mccormick.northwestern.edu/news/articles/2022/09/the-environmental-impact-of-medical-equipment/.

Taylor, Amaya. 2022. “Millions of Americans Live near Toxic Waste Sites. How Does This Affect Their Health?” Housing Matters. February 16, 2022. https://housingmatters.urban.org/articles/millions-americans-live-near-toxic-waste-sites-how-does-affect-their-health.

Trattnig , Julia. 2021. “Inclusion & Inclusiveness.” Edu Toolkit. September 29, 2021. https://www.edi-toolkit.org/governance/check-out-some-basic-definitions/inclusion-inclusiveness/.

Yale Sustainability. 2020. “How to Support Environmental Justice Everyday | Yale Sustainability.” Sustainability.yale.edu. November 13, 2020. https://sustainability.yale.edu/blog/how-support-environmental-justice-everyday.

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