From Excess to Equity: Minimalism as a Framework for Environmental Justice

We are living in a world where resources are limited, but their demand is ever increasing. Over the past few centuries, the world has witnessed rapid industrialization, urbanization and population growth resulting in increased dependency on environmental resources. In order to meet this increasing demand, natural resources like rivers, forests, minerals and wildlife are being exploited irrationally by corporations and governmental agencies. Thereby, leading to environmental crises in the face of global warming, climate change, resource depletion and extinction of some rare resources, affecting human race and other living creatures. This irrational and rampant exploitation of resources needs to be transformed into judicious and sustainable application of resources. Minimalistic approach or minimalistic lifestyle provides a method for ensuring sustainable use of resources by preventing unnecessary consumption and fostering mindful living. The minimalistic approach is deep rooted in traditional Indian values in the form of simple living and high thinking. The approach acts as a way for reducing waste generation and carbon footprints and seeks to preserve resources for future. The Minimalistic approach focuses on quality over quantity and demands one to be conscious about the things which he needs or desires for. The present paper discusses minimalism and focuses on how minimalistic approach ensures sustainability and sustainable development of the nation. It explores the role of India`s environmental legal framework, inclusive of Environmental Protection Act, 1986, Sustainable Development Goals, and the proactive role of Judiciary in ensuring sustainable use of resources. The paper also highlights the practical implications and challenges being faced while adopting a minimalistic lifestyle. It also shows how these challenges make it difficult to adopt a minimalistic approach in daily life along with possible remedies for dealing with such challenges like producing durable products.