Evolution of the polycrisis: Anthropocene traps that challenge global sustainability

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 379(1893)

Published: Nov. 13, 2023

The Anthropocene is characterized by accelerating change and global challenges of increasing complexity. Inspired what some have called a polycrisis, we explore whether the human trajectory complexity influence on Earth system could become form trap for humanity. Based an adaptation evolutionary traps concept to context, present results from participatory mapping. We identify 14 categorize them as either global, technology or structural traps. An assessment reveals that 12 (86%) be in advanced phase trapping with high risk hard-to-reverse lock-ins growing risks negative impacts well-being. Ten (71%) currently see trends their indicators. Revealing systemic nature assess often interact reinforcingly (45% pairwise interactions), rarely dampening fashion (3%). end discussing capacities will important navigating these pursuit sustainability. Doing so, introduce evolvability unifying such research between sustainability sciences. This article part theme issue 'Evolution sustainability: gathering strands synthesis'.

Language: Английский

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Integrating evolutionary theory and social–ecological systems research to address the sustainability challenges of the Anthropocene

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 379(1893)

Published: Nov. 13, 2023

The rapid, human-induced changes in the Earth system during Anthropocene present humanity with critical sustainability challenges. Social–ecological systems (SES) research provides multiple approaches for understanding complex interactions between humans, social systems, and environments how we might direct them towards healthier more resilient futures. However, general theories of SES change have yet to be fully developed. Formal evolutionary theory has been applied as a dynamic phenomena biology sciences, but rarely research. In this paper, explore connections both fields, hoping foster collaboration. After sketching out distinct intellectual traditions theory, map some their terminological theoretical connections. We then provide examples incorporated into through use mapping identify processes SES, application concepts from developmental understand changes, thinking may help design interventions beneficial change. Integrating can lead better positive sustainable Anthropocene. This article is part theme issue ‘Evolution sustainability: gathering strands an synthesis’.

Language: Английский

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Bioinspired technology in society: Ethical and architectural innovations for sustainable development

Technology in Society, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 78, P. 102688 - 102688

Published: Aug. 15, 2024

Language: Английский

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A mixed method evaluation of ecosystem services and services-to-ecosystems illuminates culturally important trees in a settled landscape

Ecosystems and People, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 21(1)

Published: Jan. 30, 2025

Biodiversity loss can lead to losses in ecological functions, ecosystem services, and cultural values. Yet, literature that empirically relates species' importance is scarce. We investigate tree a settled landscape Canada by combining biophysical plot sampling (n = 122) semi-structured interviews 31). examined relationships between importance, services (benefits from trees), services-to-ecosystems (actions toward the abundance, mortality, modification of trees. found abundance generally correlated with emphasis. Maple was most biophysically abundant culturally important tree, associated greatest diversity services. However, some trees were mentioned disproportionately more frequently than their likely due high mortality case ash apples. Apple linked diverse services-to-ecosystems. Our findings suggest provisioning services-to-ecosystems, which may, turn, influence these genera on landscape. This connection could be potential lever for wider biocultural conservation. study contributes ongoing discussions about highlights understanding human-nature relationships. The results have implications protected area management, suggesting reduced human-tree interactions negatively impact

Language: Английский

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Evolution and sustainability: gathering the strands for an Anthropocene synthesis

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 379(1893)

Published: Nov. 12, 2023

How did human societies evolve to become a major force of global change? What dynamics can lead on trajectory sustainability? The astonishing growth in population, economic activity and environmental impact has brought these questions the fore. This theme issue pulls together variety traditions that seek address using different theories methods. In this Introduction, we review organize strands work how Anthropocene evolved, evolutionary are influencing sustainability efforts today, what principles, strategies capacities will be important guide us towards future. We present set synthetic insights highlight frontiers for future research which could contribute consolidated synthesis. article is part 'Evolution sustainability: gathering an synthesis'.

Language: Английский

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The Environmental Conservation Strategies Used in Secondary Schools Align with Guidelines of United Nations Environmental Program: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Study in a City Setting

Asian Journal of Environment & Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 23(7), P. 200 - 230

Published: June 19, 2024

The climate change crisis might soon be the biggest threat to global human existence if immediate action is not taken overpower it. In Eastern Uganda, Mbale city among most affected areas, and burden manifests in form of disasters such as long dry spells floods. One floods this recently destroyed 5,000 acres crops homes 5,600 people, killed over 30- cut off clean water for 400,000 people. Schools can create environmentally responsible communities that are able address threat, but persistence area depicts unclear gaps roles played by these academic institutions. This study therefore examined environmental conservation strategies used addressing related calamities students staff secondary schools city, unravel intervention-gaps guide way forward. Conservation strategies, plus factors promoting their adoption challenges, well perceptions, attitudes, awareness, knowledge about were a random sample 384 school staff. Pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaires Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) under guidelines United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), supplemented with observational surveys photography. Data was analyzed descriptive inferential statistics using STATA version-15.0. Graphs plotted GraphPad Prism® version 9.0.0. found diverse, involving mainly tree planting (N=339, 91.2%), preservation green spaces (N=310, 83.3%), harvesting rain damping wastes resources (N= 372, 100% each). Reuse waste plastic bottles fabricate dustbins novel observation. KIIs showed use curriculum support also prominent (N=12, 100%), significantly different from other key strategic approaches incentives (χ2 = 0.992, p 0.319), aid some agencies 3.200, 0.074). Interventions against air pollution scarce. Determinants choice measures mostly; (N=381, 99.2%), costs 381, land size 352, 91.7%) education level (N=250, 65.1%). Commonest perceptions on why vital were; avert ecological threats (N=372, urge environment 100%). Good attitudes towards 269 (70.1%) participants; 48.4%, 7.8%, 7.1% aware biodiversity loss, change, respectively. 58.1% lacked sufficient knowledge. Long seasons (100%), financial scarcities (94.8%), high population (98.9%) commonest barriers, while low political will 3.1%), minimal. conclusion, largely align UNEP, based geography, resources, policies, sociodemographic factors. challenges spells, scarcities, pressure. Redress anomalies desired enhance hubs crises like sustainably.

Language: Английский

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Exploring the socio-ecology of science: the case of coral reefs

European Journal for Philosophy of Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(3)

Published: June 20, 2024

Abstract In this paper I use data from interviews conducted with coral scientists to examine the socio-ecological dimensions of science, i.e. how science shapes and is shaped by living world around it. two sets ideas in particular: niche construction value frameworks. Using these offer criteria which evaluate activities more specifically systems are intended benefit as an activity, motivations behind this. The overall picture present one activity primarily aimed at sustaining a diverse set systems, including humans, other organisms, species, ecosystems, social practices associated these. relations between aspects processes dictate they respond shifts context embedded in, explaining why changing reef ecosystems threatened. implication that natural sciences generally entangled greater number ecological process than typically considered, undertaken may be driven well epistemic processes.

Language: Английский

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How greedy is too greedy? A network toy model for evaluating the sustainability of biased evolutionary dynamics

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 379(1893)

Published: Nov. 13, 2023

Modern humanity has changed the biosphere at a global scale, threatening its own sustainability. It is claimed that through technology humans maximize extraction of energy from natural system towards their benefit, with rates appropriation surpass time-scales for systemic adaptation. This time-decoupled coevolutionary dynamic core human societal unsustainability. Here, we developed in silico experiments an open energy-based flowing network toy model systems and study effects greedy evolutionary strategies, resembling demands, have upon performance scarcity tolerance system. We aim to determine flexibility those biased dynamics matching or surpassing evolution outcomes. studied four different indexes system's growth development (total throughflow (TST), average mutual information, ascendency entropy difference) compare outcomes respect scenarios. The results showed strategies rarely surpassed achieved by evolution. nature scenarios were closely related increases TST therefore, emphasized this comparison. maximum percentage networks capable was around one-third (approx. [Formula: see text]). However, suggest existence space parameter where local flow can outperform evolution, but no evident property seems characterize networks. A mild inverse relationship found between number links nodes output capacity outpass control As many effect biospheric processes dissipative byproducts, knowing such might diminish care (ab)use. article part theme issue 'Evolution sustainability: gathering strands Anthropocene synthesis'.

Language: Английский

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A review of psychological resilience: paving the path for sustainable consumption

Cogent Business & Management, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11(1)

Published: Sept. 27, 2024

Language: Английский

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Towards a Smarter Waste Management

International Journal of Social Ecology and Sustainable Development, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(1), P. 1 - 36

Published: Dec. 2, 2024

The study 1) explores how to develop an IoT-based smart waste management (SWM) system that improves the processes of a city and 2) researches SWM improvement evaluation decision support framework (DSF), guides achieve all major WM-related goals, applies different types cities with contexts is not restrained single country or region. This combines in one theoretical research, surveys key WM stakeholders, practical research from international projects hackathons, knowledge interviews authorities companies responsible for world's greenest cities. DSF has been tested evaluated three stages: by researchers, panel experts, 3) representatives administration two Finnish

Language: Английский

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