July 29, 2021
Equity Is Integral to Sustainability at UW
Earlier this month, the University of Washington announced its new definition of sustainability, the latest step in an iterative, community-based process in support of the UW Sustainability Action Plan. The definition is a working document, and will evolve as the UW’s understanding grows. The current definition of sustainability is as follows:
“At the University of Washington, we define sustainability as the capacity to create and maintain healthy, equitable and diverse communities now and into the future. That capacity comprises 1) an understanding and respect for the interdependence of the atmosphere, the waters, the land, and the Earth’s inhabitants, and 2) a commitment to use our collective wisdom to act out of that understanding and respect.”
It is critical that equity and justice remain at the forefront of conversations about sustainability. Too often, sustainability initiatives only serve an already privileged slice of society, or are too expensive or inaccessible for communities that need them most. If a solution or practice is not equitable, then it is coming at the cost of someone else’s health or wellness and, by definition, is unsustainable.
The link between sustainability and DEI work is made explicit in the “Clarifications” section of the definition page. The word “diverse” refers not only to the diversity of the natural world but also of “cultures, ideas and individual expression that makes us resilient and protect us from the fragility of uniformity and homogeneity.” Of course, “equitable” makes clear the “commitment to social and environmental justice” required by sustainability efforts.
The final clause of the sustainability definition states “a commitment to use our collective wisdom”. As noted in the clarification, the UW community is made up of members from “a wide spectrum of perspectives”: people with different societal roles, with deep histories, from different geographic and social locations, “attuned to diverse cultures and wisdom traditions”, who work in a myriad of fields, and have a vast array of skills and experiences that we bring with us. All of these parts of ourselves and our experiences are valuable to the collective work of creating a more sustainable future—and to expanding our knowledge and practices in other areas of our work.
The clarifications end with this call to action:
“Acting upon the wisdom that emerges when we bring all of our perspectives into our decision-making is essential to achieve sustainability and to heal the harm caused by ignoring or undervaluing some of our perspectives (particularly the perspectives of those of us who are black, indigenous or people of color).”
Advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice go hand-in-hand with advancing sustainability. Any attempt to do the work of one without addressing the other will fall short of transformation and success. I encourage everyone to consider how this definition of sustainability, and the values expressed within it, relate to the work they do, both in SAFS and in the broader, interconnected world.
Read more about the clarifications, purpose, and process on this page, and share how this definition of sustainability resonates with you using this form.