Sustainabilism is the approach for achieving environmentally sustainable human well-being.
Econation’s mission is to highlight the ways that enhance and contribute to the wellbeing of both people and planet. We also uncover and criticise the ways that harm the wellbeing of both people and planet. It just so happens that generally speaking what is best for people is best for the planet and vice versa. This makes sense because what is bad for the planet must ultimately be bad for people. With this in mind, we have developed a set of ways that will help you practice sustainabilism.
Over the coming months, we will elaborate on each item and perhaps add more.
“We must realize that when basic needs have been met, human development is primarily about being more, not having more.”
– from ‘The Earth Charter’
The Ways of Sustainabilism
Be true to yourself
Be true to yourself and others and live an authentic life on your own terms. Read more about being true to yourself »
Take responsibility
Take full responsibility for yourself and your actions. You are responsible for your own well-being, for doing no harm and for being a moral and active agent in life. Read more about taking responsibility »
Embrace self-sufficiency
Sufficiency is enough for a life of well-being – so take only what you need and nothing more. Being self-sufficient increases your freedom and resilience as well as reducing your ecological footprint. Read more about self-sufficiency»
Do what’s right
Do what you know to be right and thereby be the change you want to see in the world. Read more about doing what’s right »
Leave no trace
Enjoy life’s journey but leave no trace. Every person should leave the world as they found it, or better than they found it. Read more about leaving no trace »
Love yourself and others
This is not some sentimental notion, love is the glue that holds society together. To love is to save ourselves from disconnection, isolation and selfishness. To love is the greatest gift a human can give. Read more about love »
Add to the pool of goodwill
If you support someone else to thrive, that is not a sacrifice, that is a gift. It might seem counter-intuitive that being kind and generous aids our survival fitness and being selfish hinders it, but it is true. When we voluntarily help others we are helping ourselves because we are increasing the amount of trust, goodwill and solidarity in society and that is good for everyone. All for one and one for all. Read about altruism here »
Be at one with the universe
All people are deeply connected with each other, with nature and with the whole universe. Inner well-being is very important and comes from tapping into the common core we share with everything. Read more about being at one with the unviverse »
Pursue wisdom
Wisdom is the highest virtue because it drives all the others. Wisdom is knowing what is right and using that knowledge to live an authentic life. Read more about pusuing wisdom »
Practice sustainability
Environmental sustainability happens when ecological footprints are smaller than what nature can continue to provide. So the practice of sustainability is to reduce your ecological footprint. Read more about reducing your footprint and practicing sustainability»