Eco-crimes and eco-redemptions: Discussing the challenges and opportunities of personal sustainability

Abstract

Environmental and sustainability studies can create pathways for positive social transformation through fostering individual reflection and behavioral change. The circumstances in which many people find themselves, however, are not always conducive to immediate change in support of sustainability. There is much navigating and negotiating that takes place in personal decision-making, which can lead to unintended contradictions between people’s pro-sustainability values and their unsustainable actions. In this chapter’s activity, students identify personal behaviors that could be considered "crimes," against sustainability (that would generate green guilt) and contrast them with "eco-redeeming" acts which cultivate sustainability. Overall, the goal is to engage students in open and creative dialogue about how to promote positive social change through attention to individual behaviors. For a variety of courses, this insightful, exploratory activity can help students become excited about the possible solutions and behaviors that should/could be commonplace in society, if we all operated with more environmentally-ethical and sustainable awareness. After completing the activity, students should be able to (1) evaluate personal and societal behaviors in relationship to positive ("eco-redemptions") and negative ("eco-crimes") sustainability outcomes; (2) assess the prominence of green guilt and other personal and societal difficulties of sustainability; (3) articulate the need for creative, positive behaviors and communicate possible eco-redemptions to exemplify that change; and (4) understand the value of nonjudgmental reflection, critical inquiry, and thoughtful dialogue as constructive ways to inspire an individual’s capacity to improve sustainability practices.