Redefining Sustainability
What do we mean when we use the term “sustainability?” In the context of environmentalism, one might associate sustainability with issues of climate change, threats to biodiversity, and more severe natural disasters. However, sustainability extends beyond environmental health issues. Economic opportunity, social justice, holistic wellness, and environmental justice are all integral pieces to the puzzle. At the Macalester Sustainability Office, we are revising our Sustainability plan to encapsulate this expanded understanding and definition of sustainability.
In order to reframe our Sustainability plan to emphasize environmental justice and equity, we must first ask ourselves these questions:
Along with having an open and extensive dialogue about these crucial questions, it is important to understand the meaning and significance of environmental justice. Environmental justice can be defined as “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, culture, education, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies” (EPA). With this definition in mind, we can build a foundation for our Sustainability plan to flourish.
In formulating a plan that accurately captures the trajectory that we envision for Macalester and sustainability, we need to find our purpose. Our driving force. Several workers at the Sustainability Office collaborated to create the following ideas for our overarching purpose.
Once we established a purpose, we developed statements for the vision and mission of the Sustainability Office. The vision statement represents the ideal future state of the Sustainability Office and the Macalester community more generally. The mission statement describes how we will accomplish our overarching purpose.
Vision:
Mission:
We hope this expansion of the Macalester Sustainability plan more intentionally and thoughtfully takes into consideration environmental justice and equity. We are committed to addressing the intersections between environmental, social, economic, and political issues. With a greater understanding of and appreciation for these intersections, we can pursue holistic sustainability and well-being.
Learn More:
Macalester Sustainability Website
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| Intersecting circles show sustainability at the center of social justice, economics, and wellbeing within a larger circle labeled multiculturalism, internationalism, and service to society. Source: Dio Cramer |
In order to reframe our Sustainability plan to emphasize environmental justice and equity, we must first ask ourselves these questions:
- What does sustainability mean to the Macalester community?
- What four or five pillars best represent our image and goals/motivations?
- How do we envision the future of Macalester? The future of members of the Macalester community (graduates, faculty, staff, etc.)? The future of the Sustainability Office?
Along with having an open and extensive dialogue about these crucial questions, it is important to understand the meaning and significance of environmental justice. Environmental justice can be defined as “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, culture, education, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies” (EPA). With this definition in mind, we can build a foundation for our Sustainability plan to flourish.
In formulating a plan that accurately captures the trajectory that we envision for Macalester and sustainability, we need to find our purpose. Our driving force. Several workers at the Sustainability Office collaborated to create the following ideas for our overarching purpose.
- For posterity to access the environment’s resources in an equitable and intentional manner
- For members of the Macalester community to be cognizant of and responsive to a diverse and changing world and to instill these principles in others
- For members of the Macalester community to gain a greater sense of responsibility to the environment, themselves, and others
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| Diagram showing structure of Sustainability Plan. Overarching Purpose branches left to vision, objectives, and goals, branches right to mission, strategies, tactics (and action plans). Source: Kiwa Anisman, Alison Lange, and Norah Ntagungira |
Once we established a purpose, we developed statements for the vision and mission of the Sustainability Office. The vision statement represents the ideal future state of the Sustainability Office and the Macalester community more generally. The mission statement describes how we will accomplish our overarching purpose.
Vision:
- Everyone in the Macalester community and beyond are given a fair and equitable opportunity to thrive — living in a society where each and every member is held accountable for their actions.
Mission:
- To live each day with an understanding that social injustices intersect with environmental injustices, the variance in scale of these injustices, and that all persons are indispensable in order to promote holistic well-being and environmental injustice
- To provide the Macalester community with resources and tools to promote environmental justice and to lead sustainability efforts at the campus, local, national and global levels.
We hope this expansion of the Macalester Sustainability plan more intentionally and thoughtfully takes into consideration environmental justice and equity. We are committed to addressing the intersections between environmental, social, economic, and political issues. With a greater understanding of and appreciation for these intersections, we can pursue holistic sustainability and well-being.
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| Image shows Macalester Sustainability goals: Zero Waste, 30% Real Food, Carbon Neutral, Education for Sustainability, Wellness, and Urban Sustainability. Source: Dio Cramer, Macalester Sustainability Office |
Learn More:
Macalester Sustainability Website
Written by Sustainability Office student worker Kiwa Anisman
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