Chapter 4: Social Capital and Environmental Justice

Cultural Capital

Non-financial social assets that promote social mobility beyond economic means. Examples include education, intellect, and style of speech, dress, or physical appearance.

Empowerment

A continuous process that enhances people's social understanding of anti-oppressive practice, developing their capacity to exercise some control over individual lives.

Human Development Report (HDR)

Assesses the state of human development according to a variety of indicators-- including life expectancy, adult literacy, enrollment at all three education levels, and income.

Environmental Justice

Based on the principle that all be have a right to be protected from environmental pollution and to live in, and enjoy, a clean and healthy environment.

Bonding Social Capital

Dense, multifunctional ties and strong localized trust

Community

Found in the nature and quality of a relationship as much as the qualities of a particular place.

Human Capital

Knowledge, capabilities, and skills of human beings

Financial Capital

Money

Networking

The capacity ti share ideas and values and develop trusting relationships and methods of cooperation and collaboration.

Economic Capital

The capital that a firm needs to stay solvent. Includes old and new technology.

Natural Capital

The environment (forests, fields, animals, wilderness, etc.)

Symbolic Capital

The resources available to an individual on the basis of honor,prestige or recognition, and serves as value that one holds within a culture. A war hero, for example, may have symbolic capital in the context of running for political office.

Social Capital

Those relationships by which groups and individuals communicate, network, build trust, enter into dialogue, resolve conflicts, identify and solve problems, and realize collective and individual potential as agents of sustainable development.

Bridging Social Capital

Weak ties with little trust