Issue: Environmental/Climate Justice

Organizations working to pursue sustainable policies and practices in a socially just way often face three key trade-offs. By recognizing and understanding these potential conflicts, however, organizations can work to avoid the pitfall of prioritizing one issue at the expense of the other. First, the “sustainability-inclusivity” tension often pits quick, bold sustainability action against an inclusive policymaking process. The “sustainability-recognition” tension arises when the recognition and incorporation of diverse value systems, priorities, and norms conflicts with sustainability performance. Finally, the “sustainability-equity” tension describes trade-offs between making progress on sustainability goals and distributing benefits and costs in an equitable way. Organizations can intentionally address these tensions as they work towards socially and environmentally just outcomes.

Why do some people minimize the social justice aspect of climate change, and how can we address this and spur action? This paper reviews the psychological factors at play, such as a desire to avoid negative emotions, stereotypes about who is a climate activist, and concern about how one will be perceived.