Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a large part of addressing climate change however, it isn’t the entire picture. Climate change is interwoven with the social injustices of today, our economy, and other environmental issues. Due to these relationships we need a holistic approach to effectively address climate change.
A holistic approach means addressing climate change as a multi-faceted problem connected to other environmental issues, social injustices, and the economy. This approach to tackling climate change is no small matter. We have worked through this big idea in this 3 part series. In part one, we looked at how the extractive economy of European colonization fueled many of the social injustices and ecological impacts of today. In part two, we explored a reframed economic model in Doughnut Economics which centers people and Earth. Here in the final post, part 3 of the series, everything comes full circle.
First, we will look at examples of holistic approaches in addressing environmental issues including climate change and their commonalities. Then, what you can do to contribute to holistic approaches for addressing climate change.
Holistic Approaches to Address Climate Change
Applied Holistic Approaches
Our first example of a holistic approach in action takes us to Spartanburg, South Carolina. A local organization called ReGenesis, worked to correct the environmental injustices of industrial waste that effected their neighborhoods. The primarily Black or low income communities were affected by several Brownfield and Superfund sites (hazardous waste polluted lands). ReGenesis collaborated with local, state, and federal government as well as corporations to address these polluted areas. Through their holistic approach, ReGenesis tackled the environmental issue of the hazardous waste and the needs of their community. The polluted sites were cleaned up, and the housing, health care access, and transportation all improved in the community
ReGenesis’ story is one of several successes with holistic approaches in environmental work. In Ghana, Chibeze Ezekiel together with local organizations stopped the government’s plans of building a new coal plant. The coal plant originally drew support because of the communities’ needs for jobs and an electricity source. The groups 350 Ghana-Reducing Our Carbon (GROC) and the organization Ezekiel founded, Strategic Youth Network for Development (SYND), informed the local communities about the health and environmental risks of the proposed coal plant. Ezekiel and the groups also spoke to the communities needs that renewable energy would create jobs too. Their holistic approach resulted in the Ghanaian government receiving increased opposition from residents and ultimately the government changed course.
Holistic Approaches in Progress
In the past few years, multiple cities around the world have picked up Doughnut Economics. Doughnut Economics is a economic framework that is shaped like a doughnut. The doughnut represents a society that is living within the natural boundaries of Earth’s systems AND peoples needs are met like food, healthcare, and equality. For more information on Doughnut Economics check out part 2.
In Amsterdam, their goal is to pull 872,000 residents out of the hole whose social needs aren’t met and into the Doughnut. Amsterdam’s government is joined by a local coalition of over 400 people and organizations to bring the holistic approach of Doughnut economics to fruition. The cities Copenhagen, Brussels, Portland and Philadelphia have all taken on Doughnut Economics too.
Christine Knapp, Director of Philadelphia’s Office of Sustainability, explained that without sufficient federal support, it will be difficult to implement Doughnut Economics. Fortunately, the current administration is tackling climate change and social justice issues. Soon after taking office, President Biden signed an executive order committing to environmental justice while addressing climate change. He also created a Climate Task Force which includes representatives from more than 20 different offices in the federal government. The federal government is making strides for a holistic approach to climate change centered on environmental justice. As we have mentioned before reducing greenhouse gas emissions is crucial to addressing climate change. Yet, the Biden administration continues to support fossil fuel projects.
Review of Holistic Approaches
A holistic approach to addressing climate change holds both people who are most in need and respect for the natural world at the core of the work. A majority of the current economy and society has been established and perpetuated without regard to either people nor our shared planet. This resulted in many of the issues experienced today including climate change, environmental issues, and social injustices. We have an advantage because we are living the consequences of a society built through oppression of people and negligence of Earth. A holistic approach to addressing climate change takes what we have learned from our history and creates a new path forward.
The above examples were chosen as holistic approaches because they hold both communities in need and our shared home at the center of their work. ReGenesis is an organization of the neighborhoods who were most affected by the hazardous waste pollution. While Chibeze Ezekiel, 350GROC, and SYND worked in the communities in Ekufmi district where the coal plant would have been built. Amsterdam, Brussels, and Philadelphia are using Doughnut economics to uplift people left behind. The Biden Administration’s executive order focuses on environmental justice as central to addressing climate change.
In summary holistic approaches to addressing climate change has these following qualities:
- reduce and stop emitting greenhouse gases, including stop investing in additional fossil fuel projects
- centered around social justice, “No one get’s left behind.”
- work to repair the damage done to Earth and reach goals within Earth’s planetary limits
- wide spread collaboration through out communities and multiple levels of society
Addressing climate change with a holistic approach calls for transformational shift of what has been to what could be. This is where you come in.
Your Part in a Holistic Approach to Addressing Climate Change
Based on the holistic approaches above we see patterns of community mobilization, and government action working together. Here is where you have opportunities to get involved.
Community Mobilization
Communities come in all shapes and sizes. It could be your neighborhood, where you work, your place of worship, your downtown, your outskirts, your loved ones…all are examples of communities. Reflect on what community you want to step up to move with. There are numerous organizations nationally and locally. If you are compelled enough to get your own community going, get some friends together and do it. See if Doughnut Economics may work for your community. Regenesis was started by community member Harold Mitchell after his father, neighbors and he were getting sick.
Our communities are powerful. And if you are not sure about that, take a moment to let this next sentence set in. When communities all over the Earth work towards a common goal we can build a world of change.
Government Action
In every story mentioned previously, the government was involved either with funding, legislation, or both. Start or continue to pay attention to what your local, state, and federal officials are doing for holistic climate action. Step up and vocalize both your support and or disapproval of their activities or projects happening in your community. Do not let the difference in views or political parties hold you back from engaging with your elected officials. Maybe your town has resident led groups that are conduits of communication between citizens and their local government. Also, always be prepared to vote.
If you are not happy with your elected officials and are inspired to take on more, you could run for office. Check out this inspiring story of Chi Ossé and his run for City Council. Your government is meant to serve your community and you, let them know it.
Join the Climate Movement
This one overlaps a touch with both community mobilization and government action. Check out the Thrive Agenda from the Green New Deal Network, and the Regenerative Economy from the Indigenous Environmental Network. Both have integrated plans for addressing climate change. They also have numerous climate movement organizations associated with them that you may join. These organizations may already have a local or regional group working in your community or local government.
No matter what you choose to do, keep the intersection of social injustices, and Earth in mind. How is your group keeping climate justice centered? How are you all uplifting voices of people in your community most effected? What are the impacts of the possible solutions on your local and global environment?
A holistic approach to addressing climate change requires reframing how we measure our success. Rather than holding the monetary gain of financial investment as the sole marker of value; the gauge of our investment should be centered around the well being of people and our planet.
There will be some interventions that aren’t perfect, that don’t work. Mistakes will be made and lessons will be learned. Our colonial past teaches us lessons we must heed going forward. Doughnut Economics provides a framework that places humans and Earth at the heart of our society and economy. The stories in this post of the activists, organizations, governments, and cities shine light on what is possible. A holistic approach to address climate change encompasses us all.
In our next post we will dive a little deeper into the question, “What is the best thing I can do as an individual to address climate change?” In the meantime, share in the comments below what you are inspired to do in a holistic approach for climate change.
Image Credit: Sun Icon, By vitaliikrasnoselskyi, world map on globe By DAPA Images
