No. 47: Exploring sustainable community initiatives
How coming together as a community can help foster environmental practices! 👥
Welcome back! Hopefully everyone had a great Earth Day (but really, we are all celebrating our wonderful planet everyday!). While I didn’t perform an action, I did work out a plan to hopefully divert some stuff from the landfill when a local college has its move-out in a few weeks. I hope to then use the recovered goods for a local clothing swap, aka a community sustainability initiative. How did you celebrate Earth Day? Comment below or in the chat!
Also I’m on Notes, which is on the Substack website and app. Come join!!
Our volunteer intern, Onwubiko Okem, wrote the title piece this week discussing the power of community involvement, and did a great job. Enjoy! :)
Introduction
Sustainability initiatives are becoming increasingly important as we face continued, worsening environmental challenges. These initiatives aim to promote a more sustainable way of living and reduce our impact on the planet. In my third year of school, I participated in a community-led initiative aimed at addressing the environmental impact of erosion. The main culprits of the erosion problem were poorly designed community layouts and drainages blocked with waste. The impact of this issue was particularly felt within the school environment, as heavy floods would occur whenever it rained heavily. During these floods, movement within the school premises became almost impossible for both students and faculty members, with even vehicles being unable to navigate through the floodwater. In response, the school came up with a solution - they tasked the problem to us, the third-year students. We were a force to be reckoned with, numbering in the thousands, and more than capable of tackling the issue at hand.
What are sustainability initiatives?
Sustainability initiatives refer to actions taken by individuals, organizations, and governments to promote sustainable development and protect the environment. These initiatives aim to reduce the negative impact of human activities on the environment and promote sustainable practices that will help preserve natural resources for future generations [1].
Some examples of sustainability initiatives include renewable energy projects, recycling programs, sustainable agriculture, green buildings and sustainable transportation.
Why are sustainability initiatives important?
The well-being of present and future generations relies on environmental sustainability. Climate change poses various complex challenges for nations worldwide, encompassing environmental, social, and economic aspects. Over the past few decades, climate change has led to visible consequences such as increasing global temperatures, droughts, intensified tropical storms, destructive wildfires, and severe floods.
As people and ecosystems worldwide suffer from the negative effects of climate change, many organizations, communities, and individuals have prioritized environmental sustainability. These efforts will allow us to reduce carbon emissions and preserve natural resources to promote the health and welfare of future generations [1].
In addition to benefiting the environment, promoting sustainability is also profitable for organizations. By advocating for environmental sustainability and implementing initiatives to promote a healthier environment, companies across all sectors can build customer loyalty, increase brand trust, and improve employee satisfaction.
Check out…
The Next ITSM Trend: 10 Sustainability Initiatives for Business in 2023
The Role of Community Involvement in Sustainability Initiatives
According to Stocker and Kennedy (2009), research on innovation and sustainability suggests that community dynamics are central to creating the transformation needed to encourage personal responsibility for environmental issues [2]. In other words, the involvement and participation of communities are essential in driving sustainability initiatives that promote responsible environmental behaviour. Community involvement plays a very huge role in the adoption of sustainability initiatives.
“Community-led initiatives (CLIs) are activities that are self-initiated and self-managed by groups of people at the local and regional scale for the sake of actively sustaining, protecting and restoring ecological and social qualities” [3].
Community-led initiatives (CLIs) are created by individuals who come together to tackle issues that affect their community, ranging from local to global in scale. Such issues may be addressed directly at the local level while considering their global impact, such as promoting sustainability or mitigating climate change. CLIs not only provide a platform for addressing issues but also inspire individuals to rethink their behaviours and attitudes towards the world.
See also…
10 Ways to Encourage Sustainability in Your Community (Soulful Concepts)
Five Ways to Build a Sustainable Community Through Volunteering (Planetizen)
In my country, Nigeria, we have an initiative known as "Environmental Sanitation Day," which has been in existence for as long as I can remember. I have a vivid memory of an experience during a trip with my family. Each state in my country has a designated day for Environmental Sanitation, and unfortunately, my father was not aware that our state of origin was observing its own on that particular day. Consequently, we had to wait at the border for a few hours before we were allowed to enter the state.
Environmental Sanitation Day is an essential practice in my country that usually occurs on Saturdays, though some states may observe theirs on weekdays. The primary objective of this initiative is to ensure the maintenance of a clean and healthy environment. It takes place once every month, and everyone is encouraged to get involved at the community level. During Environmental Sanitation Day, the environment is thoroughly cleaned, and any necessary repairs are carried out. The campaign for recycling is highly promoted, and other pertinent environmental issues are addressed. Environmental Sanitation Day typically ends around 10:30 am on the day. During this period, movement around the state is restricted to emergency services and security personnel.
Overall, Environmental Sanitation Day is a crucial initiative in my country that promotes the preservation of our environment. Everyone is encouraged to participate actively, and it's an opportunity to come together as a community to make our environment cleaner and healthier.
The Benefits
Community involvement is essential in sustainability initiatives, as it brings a range of benefits such as increased engagement and support, diverse perspectives and ideas, and improved project outcomes and sustainability. Community gardens and urban farming initiatives provide access to fresh and healthy food, reduce food waste, and promote community bonding. Recycling and waste reduction programs can reduce the amount of waste going to landfills, conserve natural resources, and save money. Renewable energy projects such as solar panels, wind turbines, and geothermal systems can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote energy independence. Transportation and bike-sharing programs can reduce traffic congestion, air pollution, and promote physical activity.
In conclusion, such involvement brings various benefits, including increased engagement and support, diverse perspectives and ideas, and improved project outcomes and sustainability. Community involvement plays a critical role in promoting sustainability initiatives and addressing environmental challenges. By participating in community-led initiatives, individuals can contribute to a healthier environment and promote sustainable practices.
Sources
1. Environmental sustainability: A commitment to a better future
2. Stocker, L. & Kennedy D. (2009). Cultural Models of the Coast of Australia: Toward Sustainability. Coastal Management, 37(5), 387-404.
What you can do right now to advocate for the planet (Nat Geo)
It’s not just you: The planet wants a 4-day workweek, too (Grist)
Earth Day was almost called something else entirely (The Hill)
Why I Hate Earth Day: by an Environmental Writer (Medium)
They do make some points! I recently heard an enviromentalist talk about how secondhand shopping, for example, is not good for the planet, but rather less worse than fast-fashion/buying brand new, an often overlooked ideal I hadn’t even considered.
Because capitalism is never the most sustainable option, it’s what you already have. But I do think clothing swaps are better, for example, because it’s an even exchange of clothing. My clothing swap is on June 3, so I will definitely be talking a lot about it before then and will give an update afterward, from what I’ve learned!
Wrap-up
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Great job to both of you!!