Environment and wellbeing: a false dichotomy

SEI Executive Director Johan L. Kuylenstierna argues that climate change action and traditional environmentalism are not mutually exclusive, asserting that human well-being is fundamentally dependent on the maintenance and restoration of healthy ecosystems.

• Johan L. Kuylenstierna, Executive Director of the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), contends that the relationship between the climate change movement and traditional environmentalism is not an 'either/or argument', stating that 'healthy ecosystems are essential to human well-being'.
• Human existence and future stability are inextricably linked to natural systems, including the provision of air, water, food, and technological materials, necessitating the maintenance of these systems and the restoration of those that have collapsed.
• While ecosystem health is critical, there is a simultaneous necessity to address human needs for decent living standards, which encompass basic requirements like food and shelter as well as energy, mobility, communications, and other services.

APA

Kuylenstierna, J. L. (2012). Environment and wellbeing: a false dichotomy. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/perspectives/environment-wellbeing-false-dichotomy/

Chicago

Kuylenstierna, Johan L. Environment and wellbeing: a false dichotomy. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2012. https://www.sei.org/perspectives/environment-wellbeing-false-dichotomy/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Kuylenstierna |first1=Johan L. |title=Environment and wellbeing: a false dichotomy |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=27 June 2012 |url=https://www.sei.org/perspectives/environment-wellbeing-false-dichotomy/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{kuylenstierna2012environment, author = {Kuylenstierna, Johan L.}, title = {{Environment and wellbeing: a false dichotomy}}, publisher = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2012}, month = jun, url = {https://www.sei.org/perspectives/environment-wellbeing-false-dichotomy/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }