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Be the change you wish to see in the world. – Mahatma Gandhi
A Culture of Change Sustainability has many facets, one of the most important being to create a society where people’s health and well-being are being protected both today and in the future. by Tara Trenary, photos by Steven Hertzog and courtesy of USD 497
In society today, meeting the needs of people without jeopardizing the ability of future generations to meet their own needs can be complicated. But, why is working hard toward a community’s overall health and well-being so complex? Jasmin Moore, City of Lawrence and Douglas County sustainability director, says sustainability can be all encompassing and must include collaboration with community members and city and county departments on a wide range of topics, including energy efficiency and performance, greenhouse gas emissions, implementation of a food system plan, safe routes to schools, health and work equity, and the creation of a climate action and adaptation plan, among other things. “I like to define sustainability as living today like you really believe there is going to be a tomorrow, and the next day, and decades from now,” she explains. “I believe that when people think in this way, we tend to be more responsible with our financial resources, treat our environment with more care and extend more compassion and respect to those around us.” 24
Treating all members of society fairly; reinforcing participation and a sense of community; supporting health and well-being; providing the security and services needed by community members: All of these topics encompass the definition of social sustainability, a complex piece of the three pillars of sustainability. The other pillars are environmental and economic, the three together informally referred to as “people, planet and profits.” Issues related to social sustainability are abundant, which is why it’s not always easy to effectively incorporate it into modern society. Human rights, fair labor practices, living conditions, health, safety, wellness, diversity, equity, worklife balance, empowerment, community engagement, philanthropy, volunteerism, social responsibility, social justice, cultural competence, community resilience and human adaptation are all factors that must be addressed when trying to maintain a socially sustainable environment. So, why is it important in our community?
