Small Green Steps | Earth action | social justice | land stewardship
Overview
The EcoTypes survey results in four Place/Action EcoTypes phrases, with three Knowledge subtypes for each. These EcoTypes are thus defined by their approach to Place, Action, and Knowledge. But these definitions may sound abstract to you—say, what does it mean that Land Stewardship (O) involves human Place, small Action, and old Knowledge?
Below* are personae—idealized people, typical of college students in the U.S.—representing each of the four EcoTypes and the two contrasting (O) and (N) Knowledge subtype attractors. You will see that there is considerable difference in the ways people might care about issues of environment, both between and within each of the four main EcoTypes!
One way to compare how they differentially care is exemplified in the global priorities, from a list of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), for each. You may wish to consider not only what they care about, but also why, as both may suggest important differences.
Our differing EcoTypes can be a source of creative solutions. How might people who embody the personae below work together, while honoring their differences?
Of course, the personae below are only that, involving very brief, generalized descriptions of possible EcoTypes. You may, or may not, resonate with the one who represents your EcoType. They also do not necessarily represent a diversity of ages and other forms of demographic difference. How would you construct personae that represent EcoTypes differences among people like you?
Small Green Steps
Here is an overview of Small Green Steps, an EcoType favoring nonhuman Place and small Action. Its complementary EcoType is Social Justice.
Sage (Small Green Steps (O)): Sage grew up in the city, but she loves to wander in the forest as her way of connecting with its spiritual force. She makes careful lifestyle choices, only buying products that are labeled sustainable or natural. One SDG she prioritizes is Responsible Consumption and Production, reflecting her lifestyle commitments as a green consumer.
Latisha (Small Green Steps (N)): Latisha has thrived as a person of color in science. She grew up in the city, so her envisioned environmental contribution involves greening the urban landscape for nonhumans and humans alike. One SDG she prioritizes is Sustainable Cities and Communities, to contribute her work as a scientist toward urban parks and biodiversity.
Earth Action
Here is an overview of Earth Action, an EcoType favoring nonhuman Place and big Action. Its complementary EcoType is Land Stewardship.
Morgan (Earth Action (O)): Morgan identifies as nonbinary, and cultivates ecospirituality and ancient ways as an important part of their life. They are a committed environmental activist, joining up with friends to protest greedy corporations that ruin nature. One SDG they prioritize is Climate Action, so that Earth can recover from capitalist fossil fuel destruction.
Nathan (Earth Action (N)): Nathan has an interest in international environmental policy, especially related to global exploitation of marine resources. He looks forward to a career in law, where he can help promote science-based policies that protect marine mammals. One SDG he prioritizes is Life Below Water, in line with regulations he hopes to support.
Social Justice
Here is an overview of Social Justice, an EcoType favoring human Place and big Action. Its complementary EcoType is Small Green Steps.
Isabella (Social Justice (O)): Isabella grew up with Western science and technology, but honors Indigenous peoples and wisdom as a superior way of life. She advocates structural change to halt continued colonization of these people and their land. One SDG she prioritizes is Reduced Inequalities, to promote Indigenous justice and well-being throughout the world.
Joaquin (Social Justice (N)): Joaquin envisions future societies that enjoy a higher quality of life for all people via advanced technologies. He supports translational research and development to achieve this transformation. One SDG he prioritizes is Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, to ensure that the benefits of technological development are shared worldwide.
Land Stewardship
Here is an overview of Land Stewardship, an EcoType favoring human Place and small Action. Its complementary EcoType is Earth Action.
Isaiah (Land Stewardship (O)): Isaiah is planning on a career in agricultural business. His faith is a very important part of his life, and guides him to serve humanity through the things he personally can do. One SDG he prioritizes is Zero Hunger, to which he hopes to contribute via wise management of his cropland resource and food-related entrepreneurship focusing on the poor.
Aisha (Land Stewardship (N)): Aisha is an international engineering student, and hopes to help develop energy-efficient solar panels for rural people without electricity. She believes her work can incrementally contribute toward better lives for these people. One SDG she prioritizes is Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, to which she can lend her engineering expertise.
*All images courtesy Flaticon