Sustainability and Diversity

Sustainability and Diversity

The videos required for this assignment were very powerful and providing alot of hope. To start with the video of Paul Hawkins who gave an inspiring discussion on the magnitude of the movement. He describes this movement as having “no center ideology..this movement is the most diverse movement the world has ever seen it is global, classless and tireless...” What Paul Hawkins is describing is that only through diversity can global mindedness begin/continue. This concept of social inclusiveness is integral to address global issues. We can not begin to tackle global problems unless we integrate the knowledge that the solution lies in diversity. The multi level meaning of diversity is one that is inclusive, an inclusive minded motivation for change. On another level diversity is integrating different solutions, different perspectives to common environmental goals. Diversity on the level of social inclusiveness means that part of the change, part of the “movement” is to acknowledge and address a defunct system that as it stands is not inclusive is not open to the positive change that can be brought about through diversity. One of the most profound statements that Paul Hawkins made was “salvation is found in diversity. This movement is humanities immune response to resist and heal political disease, economic infection, and ecological corruption caused by ideologies.” Through diversity “we are building the capacity to respond”.
Van Jones also discussed this central component of change, diversity. “Only through the diversity of this generation can we meet the true moral challenge of creating a green economy that has a place for everyone...Green for all”. Van Jones really puts the message of social inclusion as being part of the movement for change. He mentions that just changing one aspect of a faulty system (like replacing detrimental energy systems for clean energy) does not mean that the movement is over and the solution is complete. Diversity must be acknowledges and incorporated in change as social inclusiveness is an integral part to eliminate a faulty system and create a truly inclusive system that provides for everyone.
This assignment was very informative for me. Prior to this assignment I did not fully think about the necessity of social inclusion. I was focused on environmental changes and overlooked this key element that can bring about positive changes. I also had a hard time seeing how to create inclusion in a world filled with such ideology, and class differences. Van Jones allowed me to visualize a changing society that can “lift people out of poverty...green pathways out of poverty and into prosperity”. He describes the addition of millions of new ‘green’ jobs that could be created for the “people who need the work being connected to work that needs to be done”. A really important thing that I learned is that the scope of the movement is huge, and fueled by diversity. I often feel overwhelmed when faced with the statistics/facts of the environmental damage we have created and continue to create. These discussions gave me hope that change is occurring, and fortunately already picking up momentum as a large movement is already in the works. It gives me hope that there is redemption for us as Paul Hawkins puts it “humankind knows what to do”.