Climate change and relational sustainability: a shared future?

We are living in a time when climate change is one of the most pressing challenges facing humanity and the planet Earth. The response to this crisis must address the root of the problem, the way we live, interact, and relate to the environment, and not be limited to reducing greenhouse gas emissions or developing green technologies. Relational sustainability is a novel approach to the problems caused by pollution. It focuses on human-nature and human-human relationships, moving away from environmental sustainability that focuses on ‘physical’ approaches. This approach brings together the search for answers on several levels, involving disciplines such as the natural sciences, social sciences, law, economics, philosophy, psychology, and education. It cuts across various scientific, social and humanistic fields. This has enabled sustainability researchers to generate rich insights and significant socio-political work, leading to the development of new ways of thinking about possible solutions to environmental impacts and their consequences. Relational sustainability can be strengthened through collective awareness and action to address environmental challenges. Open communication, social innovation, psychological support, promotion of sustainable lifestyles, inclusion and diversity, and shared responsibility are suggested as possible solutions.