40 Examples of Social Goods

John Spacey, April 19, 2022

Social goods are services that benefit people and planet. The can be contrasted with economic bads that damage quality of life and/or the environment. Social goods are produced by the environment such as a forest that provides ecological services such as the purification of air and water. They also include government services such as healthcare that benefit quality of life or the environment. In some cases, individuals, institutions, nonprofits or firms may also produce social goods such as a profitable company that has a positive influence on both the environment and quality of life everywhere they impact. The following are common types of social goods.

Access to Nature	Alleviation of Hunger
Alleviation of Poverty	Animal Rights
Child Welfare	Children's Rights
Civility	Clean Air
Clean Water	Community Development
Consumer Protection	Economic Opportunity & Inclusion
Ecosystem Restoration	Education
Elimination of Racism	Elimination of a Disease
Environmental Justice	Food Safety & Quality
Food Security	Freedom
Health & Wellness	Healthcare
Housing	Human Rights
Nutrition	Peace
Pollution Clean Up	Preservation and Access to Cultural Heritage
Protecting Endangered Species	Public Space
Quality of Life	Reduction and Mitigation of Disasters
Responsible Stewardship of Natural Resources	Reversal of Environmental Issues
Social Justice	Support for Arts & Performing Arts
Support for Culture	Support for Sports, Leisure & Recreation
Wildlife Habitat	Youth Employment

The list above is illustrative and non-exhaustive. Social goods can be viewed as the prevention or solution to social issues and environmental issues.

As a concrete example of a social good, a society that covers healthcare, dental care, education and social security for its members.

Anything that unambiguously improves quality of life for all people in a society, region, city or neighborhood can be viewed as a social good. This may include environmental justice and improvement of the environment.

40 Examples of Social Goods

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