How social green are you? – Book
Gerlinde Schuller
Currently I am working on a book about Social Green that argues that only combining social justice and ecological awareness can solve the climate crisis. Covering 1493 to 2135, the book tells the story of social green developments, starting with the first European colony in South America on Hispaniola – a low point in European social and ecological history, marking the domination of people and nature.
A photo-docu-novel, non-fiction, with more than 700 images
15 x 21 cm, ca. 366 pages, English and Dutch version
nai010 publishers, 2026
Spanning several centuries and envisioning future perspectives, the book explores the delicate balance between social and environmental factors in urban development – a balance that could help address a crucial dilemma we face today: should we prioritize economic growth to improve the political climate, or focus on the rights of nature to address the climate crisis? And what is the middle ground that could unite both interests?
More than a concept, social green is an attitude that strongly influences decisions in politics, urban planning, housing-, landscape design, jurisprudence, and our daily lives. Our social green competencies also shape our relationship with nature: the space we allocate to it and the degree to which we control it.
While green spaces – and with them, biodiversity – are increasingly vanishing due to human activity, it is precisely within these areas that a crucial part of the solution to the climate crisis lies. This is a highly relevant issue that calls for widespread public dialogue and demands an interdisciplinary approach. I aim to engage readers with a personal and direct tone to raise awareness that everyone can be part of the solution.
The social green history of the Geuzenhof housing complex, where I live, serves as a case study and highlighting a range of key topics: urban expansion, social housing, the garden city philosophy, resident participation, the preservation of architectural and green heritage, and our relationship with nature. Through interviews with (former) residents and international experts visiting Geuzenhof, I explore the concept of Social Green – weaving together personal, intergenerational stories while broadening the perspective to include global developments.
Among the people I already spoke with about Social Green are writer Suzanna Jansen, artist Natascha Hagenbeek, social entrepreneur Ama Koranteng-Kumi, politician Melanie van der Horst, social geographer Sjaan van der Tol, activist Iris Poels, artist Jonmar van Vlijmen, landscape architect Maike van Stiphout (on photo below), social psychologist Ioana Biris, fashion designer Bonne Reijn and many others.
The book is set to be a visual and accessible narrative in the form of a photo-docu-novel, featuring historical images, my own photography and data visualizations. As an information designer and data journalist, I will research and design the book myself.
Follow my research project on Instagram
The research for the book is made possible with support from Fonds BJP and EFL Stichting.
