To understand my role in climate action, I must explore my own personal social and cultural capital and the implications they have for my future in this field. To effectively do this, I will first aim to define my understanding of what social and cultural capital and to identify my own; how these qualities can benefit or impede my efforts; and how I can apply this capital through collaborations to create social value. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Web of Social Capital?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n My understanding of social capital paints the picture of an intricate spider web with interconnected strings connecting all parts together to form a strong, cohesive whole. As social capital is the network of relationships that individuals within a group have which shapes outcomes\u00a0(Carmen et al., 2022; Wooll, 2022), I imagine each individual at a junction of this web, and how they communicate and work together ultimately defines the functionality and appearance.\u00a0Wooll (2022)\u00a0notes two primary predictors of successful social capital within a group: social relations and shared values. To put that in the realm of climate change, it makes sense that social capital would play an important role. Resilience is essential in the ever changing, uncertainty of climate change and social factors are closely interconnected with resilience\u00a0(Carmen et al., 2022). Traits such as knowledge sharing, communication, empathy, and deep understanding of individual and community situations, coupled with shared values and goals, are imperative for mobilizing responses to complex problems and emergencies\u00a0(Carmen et al., 2022). I cannot think of many emergencies more complex than the climate crisis.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n My Personal Social Capital<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Reflecting on my role within group dynamics, I identify my ability to form personal connections based on trust, respect, and open communication as a key piece of my social capital. I enjoy building relationships and connecting with individuals on a personal level. I have been told that I am easy to talk to and work with. I prioritize creating collaborative, reciprocal environments, and find that my colleagues and I are usually willing to help each other out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These traits position me as a valuable part of a network, capable of fostering meaningful relationships with a variety of team members. To utilize my social capital, I need to intentionally expand my network outside of medicine into the climate sector. In doing so, I may also be able to bridge the two networks of healthcare and climate change together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, a potential pitfall lies in the homogeneity of my professional background. I have worked for years within healthcare which is where most of my professional networks exist. Additionally, many of my colleagues are from similar educational backgrounds and social standings which could potentially make it easier for me to create that connection. I must be intentional and inclusive when forming relationships, remembering that social capital is not always positive but can reinforce power imbalances and exclusion\u00a0(Carmen et al., 2022). Like everything else in climate change, and the world, I must apply an intersectional lens to my social capital and ensure that my position as a white, female with some academic achievements and job security impacts my reality, relationships, and connections. This extends to professional and personal relationships.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Applying social capital to build connections also includes personal relationships which can allow us all to realize we are part of a team. For example, I recently reached out to an impressive acquaintance of mine who is a fierce public advocate. I wanted to send them a quick note of my appreciation for their advocacy, not thinking it would be needed. I discovered that, indeed, it was. Upon reaching out, this person confided that they\u2019ve been personally challenged lately and thanked me for refueling their tank to keep going. I share this example because it highlights the need for us all to nurture and develop personal relationships to foster a relationship of mutual connection. We need to remind each other of our value and in the meaning in our work and effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Fortune of Cultural Capital<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Cultural capital refers to the skills and values that are valued within a society that allow individuals who possess these traits to succeed\u00a0(Wooll, 2022). Three sources of cultural capital are objective, embodied, institutionalized\u00a0(Cultural Learning Alliance, 2019), which very simply I think of as things, personal traits\/mannerisms, and credentials.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n My Personal Cultural Capital<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When I consider my own cultural capital, I realize that I am fortunate. I was not brought up with wealth or luxury or early experiences that many would equate with cultural capital. But I was born as a white settler and received the privilege that afforded. I was also brought up in a public school system in which I succeeded and life circumstances that allowed me to obtain post-secondary education. Education is considered by many to be the primary source of cultural capital\u00a0(Lee, 2022). My cultural capital includes my educational background including the ability to be completing my current master\u2019s degree, and personal traits such as my sense of values and beliefs that align with many in climate action such as justice and equity.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n My cultural capital empowers me to utilize my education for educational and outreach efforts in climate action, sharing knowledge within my network to foster community responsibility. By modelling sustainable behaviour, I contribute to cultural change that encourages actions promoting sustainability, as highlighted by\u00a0Raissa et al. (2021), who notes that interventions targeting cultural capital can drive behaviour change for sustainable practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The obvious pitfall in utilizing this cultural capital is the acceptance of what it embodies in the first place. A culture where\u00a0\u201cwealth is embodied in an immense accumulation of intellectual, cultural, and symbolic commodities\u201d\u00a0(Ventura, 2022). Thereby, acknowledging any level of cultural capital which often comes from inherited opportunities, is accepting a flawed system that is largely responsible for the unsustainable reality we are now in. Using cultural capital to push for culture change and a realignment of values must be the intention, otherwise the risk is perpetuating a culture that places one form of knowledge and credentials, particularly Western, over all others, such as Indigenous knowledge.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Understanding my role in climate action involves examining my social and cultural capital and how it can best be applied for positive change. Within that is the recognition that a critical, intersectional perspective must be applied to ensure that the pursuit of climate justice and transformative change avoids perpetuating inequities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n References<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Carmen, E., Fazey, I., Ross, H., Bedinger, M., Smith, F. M., Prager, K., McClymont, K., & Morrison, D. (2022). Building community resilience in a context of climate change: The role of social capital. Ambio<\/em>, 51<\/em>(6), 1371\u20131387. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s13280-021-01678-9<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cultural Learning Alliance. (2019, July 1). What is cultural capital?<\/em> Cultural Learning Alliance. https:\/\/www.culturallearningalliance.org.uk\/what-is-cultural-capital\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lee, S. (2022, February 15). Cultural Capital a. Medium<\/em>. https:\/\/solveigdql.medium.com\/cultural-capital-a-cbff09085684<\/p>\n\n\n\n Raissa, G., Sihotang, S., Christy, F., & Wijaya, K. (2021). Identification of cultural capital and sustainable behavior towards sustainable development. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science<\/em>, 764<\/em>(1), 012015. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1088\/1755-1315\/764\/1\/012015<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ventura, R. (2022, June 14). Pierre Bourdieu: Cultural Capital in the 21st Century<\/em>. Green European Journal. https:\/\/www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu\/pierre-bourdieu-cultural-capital-in-the-21st-century\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wooll, M. (2022, July 22). Social Capital vs. Cultural Capital: Understand Their Role in the Workplace<\/em>. BetterUp. https:\/\/www.betterup.com\/blog\/social-capital-vs-cultural-capital<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" To understand my role in climate action, I must explore my own personal social and cultural capital and the implications they have for my future in this field. 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