The struggle for equality and sustainability

This chapter argues that the campaign for sustainability is inseparable from the campaign for greater equality. We start by showing that inequality has led both to political opposition to policies to reduce carbon emissions and to the rise of populism which has spread climate science denial. But because the carbon footprint of the rich is greater than that of the poor and the poor are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change, sustainability and social justice should be natural allies. They are also natural allies because inequality plays a major role in intensifying the status competition which substantially increases the burden of consumerism on the planet. Lastly, we show that greater equality strengthens community life and increases people’s willingness to act for the common good: hence more equal societies recycle more waste and business leaders are more likely to support environmental policies. In conclusion, we argue that the environmental campaigning should be linked closely to the radical movement for social justice.