‘Living Well’ as a Path to Social, Ecological and Economic Sustainability

Karen Bell

doi:10.17645/up.v2i4.1006

Abstract

While there is wide agreement on the need to move towards fairer and more sustainable societies, how to best achieve this is still the source of some debate. In particular, there are tensions between more market-based/technological approaches and more redistributive/social approaches. Living Well, a strategy which falls into the latter category, has been proposed as a path to social, ecological and economic sustainability by several state governments of the Global South. This paper examines the Living Well paradigm as implemented in Bolivia through the lens of the recently agreed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The article is based on a 3 year, ESRC funded project on transitions to sustainability and reports the findings of documentary, policy and secondary data analysis, participant observations and semi-structured interviews with local stakeholders. The work indicates that, despite constraints and set-backs, in just a decade, Living Well has achieved a major shift towards social, economic and ecological sustainability in Bolivia. This seems to be primarily a result of the emphasis on redistributive policies, an intention to live in harmony with nature, respect for traditional values and practices, local control of natural resources, and participative decision-making. It is, therefore, argued that other nations might achieve more success in transitioning to sustainability by focusing on these factors, rather than continuing to emphasise the technological/growth/market approaches which are currently dominating global sustainability debates and activities.

Highlights

In the face of multiple environmental and social crises, a step change in our way of living seems imperative
The article is based on a three year, ESRC funded, research project entitled Fair and Inclusive Environmental and Social Transition Alternatives (FIESTA)
The above analysis suggests that Bolivia is making great strides towards sustainability under the banner of Living Well

Summary

Introduction

In the face of multiple environmental and social crises, a step change in our way of living seems imperative. Approximately 60% of people globally were still without access to safe sanitation systems in 2015 (World Health Organization [WHO] & UNICEF, 2017); 15% lacked access to electricity Bank, 2017); 30% were without safe drinking water (WHO & UNICEF, 2017); and 11% had insufficient food to meet the minimum daily energy requirement (Food and Agriculture Organisation, 2015). As a result of these multiple crises, a fundamental and urgent transition to sustainability is required so as to avert further human suffering and catastrophic harm to all species of the planet

Methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion