The Danger of Imbalance in the Triple Bottom Line
Several researchers have indicated the Triple Bottom Line has been imbalanced in education and sustainability plans with the least emphasis placed on the social and the economic dimensions (i.e., Kalsoom & Khanam, 2017; Lidstone et al., 2015; Watson et al., 2013).
If the Triple Bottom Line is imbalanced (for example, the focus is on only the environment), what happens?
If we do not include diverse voices in our decision-making or in the classroom, how can we work to enhance learning in sustainability and ultimately work together to achieve solutions for a global crisis that affects us all? Incorporating the perspectives of people learners, stakeholders, and community members with diverse backgrounds into designing a curriculum is a key factor in strengthening the social dimension of sustainability and experiential learning methods (ie. Groulx et al., 2020; Kioupi and Voulvoulis, 2020; Lidstone et al. 2015; Martinez-Buján et al., 2020; O'Brien & Sarkis, 2014; Savage et al., 2015).
Now, consider this point. Stone (2021) indicates that “majority of students expressed concerns with financing their tuition, food, and housing. Seventy-six percent were concerned about paying tuition, 56% were concerned about financing their housing needs, and 53% were concerned about paying for food. Approximately 1 in 4 students are “very concerned” about each category” (p. 32). If we do not include the economic dimension into sustainability, how can we learn how to minimize debt and enhance our economy to meet our survival needs and those for the next generation and beyond?
It is important to incorporate each dimension within the curricula, education and personal lives. For example, depending on the sector you work in, some questions you can reflect on are:
- Is the local economy supported?
- Are we developing and advancing financial literacy and knowledge for this generation and the next to assist in meeting their survival needs and enhance our economy?
- As a society, are individual needs like shelter, food, education being met?
- Are we working together to include diverse perspectives, open discussions, and input from the community to help solve issues in the environment, social and economic realms?
- Are we welcoming diverse conversations?
- Are resources wasted?
- Is there excessive waste?
- Are products used harmful?
- Are they eco-friendly?
- How can we create better learning outcomes to foster belonging and collaboration to work together and come up with solutions?
Try it
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