The Credibility Advantage

I was questioned by  journalist a little while ago, about why social considerations fit in with Earthday and environmental concerns in general. For me it seemed so obvious, but I think many folks embrace green considerations before they embrace wider social considerations, and don’t necessarily see the  connection.   The fact is, the Earth will survive, in some form, with or without human existence. Efforts to protect the environment, are actually efforts to protect the environment for human life.  This cannot be done on a individualistic scale. The environment cannot just be good for those who can afford it, because the environment on earth is shared.   The purpose and end-goal of sustainable development is common or collective wellbeing, a social good. The means of attaining that social good, is the economy, finance, the marketplace, and the necessary limits are the environment. To restate; all marketplace activity should be to improve the collective wellbeing, and do in a way that is respectful of the environment.   Sweatshops and other human exploitation do not contribute to collective wellbeing.  That they may benefit a few at the expense of many, is short sighted.