Environmental, Economic & Social Sustainability – In Pursuit of the Ideal

Sorting forest-grown Bewild Robusta Coffee cherries at the Poomaale 1.0 Collective in Coorg

In our world today, the urgency is palpable—environmental crises loom, economic instability persists, and social tensions simmer. It’s a complex web of challenges that demand our attention. But amidst the chaos, there’s a glimmer of hope, a call to action that resonates within each of us.

How do we tackle these interconnected issues? Can solutions address more than one problem? And more importantly, can we face these challenges alone, or must we come together as a collective force? These questions weigh heavy, urging us to act now before it’s too late. Well, we at Beforest have decided that moving ahead collectively is the only way, but that doesn’t make the challenge of balancing ecological, economic & social viability disappear. Let’s understand what each of these 3 pillars of sustainability means, the obstacles in achieving them and the horizon of possibilities that we can explore.

What is Environmental, Economic & Social Sustainability?

Environmental sustainability involves preserving natural resources, reducing pollution, and mitigating the impacts of human activities on ecosystems. It encompasses efforts to transition to renewable energy, adopt sustainable land management practices, and promote conservation initiatives.

Economic sustainability revolves around fostering long-term prosperity while ensuring equitable distribution of resources. It entails promoting economic growth, creating job opportunities, and fostering innovation. However, economic crises such as recessions and market instabilities can disrupt livelihoods and exacerbate inequalities, highlighting the need for resilient economic systems.

Social sustainability focuses on fostering inclusive societies where basic human needs are met and individuals have access to education, healthcare, and social support systems. Addressing social crises involves tackling issues such as poverty, inequality, and social injustice. Building strong communities, promoting diversity and inclusion, and empowering marginalised groups are central to achieving social sustainability.

Challenges of Balancing Environmental, Economic & Social Sustainability

Balancing environmental, economic, and social sustainability is like juggling three spinning plates, demanding precise coordination. Actions benefiting one area can inadvertently harm another, such as cost-cutting measures that harm the environment or exploit workers. Short-term interests often clash with long-term goals, hindering progress, like resistance to investing in renewable energy due to upfront costs.

A pervasive lack of awareness exists regarding the interconnectedness of sustainability dimensions, leading to fragmented approaches. Power imbalances and competing interests complicate achieving consensus on sustainability priorities. Resistance from industries reliant on fossil fuels further exacerbates challenges. Furthermore, measuring progress proves complex, as traditional economic indicators often overlook social and environmental well-being.

How Can We Balance Environmental, Economic & Social Sustainability?

It goes without saying that solutions that cut across multiple domains offer the most promising path forward. For example, investing in renewable energy not only mitigates climate change but also creates jobs and promotes economic growth. Similarly, sustainable agriculture practices and lifestyle frameworks such as permaculture not only protect ecosystems but also improve food security and enhance community livelihoods. Here are some ways we can ease the juggle.

Systemic Involvement

Achieving sustainability requires systemic involvement at all levels, from grassroots initiatives to government policies and international collaborations. While individual actions play a crucial role, systemic changes are necessary to drive large-scale transformation. This includes implementing regulatory frameworks, incentivising sustainable practices, and fostering partnerships between governments, businesses, and civil society. At the large-scale Beforest collectives, we not only work with our member community to create collective by-laws, but also work with local government bodies & authorities to conduct development that is sustainable for people and landscapes beyond those of our 100+ acre collectives.

Tried and Tested Solutions

Many sustainability solutions have been tried and tested, demonstrating their effectiveness in addressing multiple challenges simultaneously. From renewable energy deployment to circular economy initiatives, there are numerous success stories to draw inspiration from. However, innovation and adaptation are also essential as we confront evolving environmental, economic, and social dynamics. Even in the purview of permaculture farming, which is a relatively lesser-known but fast-growing concept in India, we have been collaborating with permaculture design experts who share their expertise and proofs of concept and help us apply it on a large scale across our collectives.

Embracing Occasional Blows

Despite our best efforts, there may be instances where sustainability initiatives do not yield the desired outcomes, or unintended consequences arise. In such cases, it is crucial to adopt adaptive management approaches that allow for course corrections and learning from failures. Building resilience systems can help soften the blow of unexpected challenges and ensure that sustainability efforts remain on track. Water security measures such as rainwater harvesting & groundwater recharge & food security measures like growing diverse food forests are some of the ways to ensure a hit doesn’t blow away the whole farm.

Creating Equitable Landscapes Through Sustainability

At its core, sustainability is about finding harmony between environmental stewardship, economic prosperity, and social equity. It requires balancing competing priorities and making decisions that optimise long-term benefits for both present and future generations. By embracing the principles of environmental, economic, and social sustainability, we can create a more resilient and equitable world for all.

If you are someone who loves to take on a challenge, especially one that can change the way of living and give a better future for generations to come, join Beforest Collectives and live the pursuit of the ideal every day.