As the former Director of Black Environmental Network, I asserted in 1987 that “There is no such thing as a purely environmental initiative. A so-called purely environmental initiative is one that has rejected its social, cultural and economic dimensions.”
This recognition that allows us to fully unlock climate actions by our communities. And of course cultural incorporates the spiritual dimension, so strongly evident in many different cultures. Prayer is activism.
A deeper appreciation of the social, cultural, environmental and economic dimensions of daily life will unlock a more intense, socially relevant and expanded vision of environmental participation.
Overarching themes
- Basic good health is the most fundamental measure of resilience in terms of protecting citizens and as the basis for capacity to take action. Linking health wellbeing, improvement of living conditions, environmental action and net zero is a win-win.
- Those that are cared for care and therefore take action
- Addressing climate impact where people live work and play is a great starting point. Many disadvantaged groups are located in concrete jungles without a single shred of green and in the most polluted places. All emissions pollute along with a range of harmful substances.
- Research tells us that the lack of access to local green spaces affects mental and physical health, with a huge cost to business and community life. The report “London Mental Health the invisible costs”, highlighted a yearly bill of £26billion in terms of economic and social costs just for London.
- There is a rising generation of young voices
- Livelihoods and a just transition are on the agenda with access to green jobs as a great opportunity.
- People need information and support about the range of actions for net zero and sustainability
- A genuine commitment to increasing intercultural understanding requires investment of time and effort leading to an expansion of personal and collective perspectives
- Environmental and non-environmental organisations can come together to transform the local environment, address resilience and stimulate community contribution.
The last point is about the huge force that yet to be released from non-environmental organisations because they are now linking into the impact on people. Lets remember that most ethnic minority community groups have been formed to address their social needs. NHS Trusts have just begun to declare Climate Emergency, taking action including going through the supply chain of their medicines. The role of the arts and creative activities is increasingly recognised.
Moving with joy into a transformed integrated future
To address any issue, it is always desirable to move on various fronts in which the seriousness of the work coincides with the enjoyment.
In the context of enjoyment, I would like to point to the difference between merriment and the quality of joy.
As a nation of theatre lovers, you will all have had the experience of going to a play, a tragedy, come out of the show with tears streaming down your face and say, I enjoyed it. That is because joy goes far beyond merriment to that very human thing – meaning. So in this work that we are doing to address climate change and impact on our communities, even when we struggle, there is meaning and therefore joy in everything that we do.
And let us remember that progress is not represented by an even upwards slope on a graph. There is always a gathering of force, sometimes hovering seemingly as a flat line for a long time, and when we reach a critical mass it takes a leap.
The structural challenge
Awakenings shape societal trends. One of the most devastating events recently has been the murder of George Floyd. Interestingly, it has given impetus quite beyond the betterment of the lives of Black Communities, to a world-wide wave of efforts for equality, diversity and inclusion as a whole. It is a good time for working for social justice set within climate justice.
In the wake of its impact Black Lives Matter came to the fore, with its emphasis on addressing structural change.
The themes to focus on for structural change include:
- Making policy-making vsible
- Strengthening strategies for diversity equality and inclusion
- Representation
- Engagement and capacity building
- Provision – taking action on what citizens cannot do for themselves