Pathways towards sustainable and just futures with and for disabled populations: a leverage points perspective

Disabled populations are disproportionally affected by the current climate and environmental crises. However, they are hardly included and their knowledge is neglected in processes addressing these challenges. To achieve the UN Agenda 2030, societies should actively engage with the values, experiences and knowledge held by people with disabilities in science and policy contexts. In this paper, we suggest that addressing 'deep' leverage points by 1) recognising diverse valuations of and connections to nature by different social groups (i.e. re-connecting to nature), 2) including disabled populations in decision-making and knowledge creation (i.e. re-structuring institutions), and 3) promoting inclusive education and knowledge generation (i.e. re-thinking knowledge production) can facilitate the development of inclusive transformation pathways and foster sustainable human-nature relationships.

Automated summary

Disabled populations are disproportionately affected by climate and environmental crises, but they are often overlooked and their knowledge neglected. To achieve sustainable development, active engagement with disabled populations and their values, experiences, and knowledge is necessary. This paper suggests addressing 'deep' leverage points by reconnecting to nature, restructuring institutions, and rethinking knowledge production in order to facilitate the development of inclusive transformation pathways and foster sustainable human-nature relationships.