5 research outputs found
Humanânature connection: a multidisciplinary review
In sustainability science calls are increasing for humanity to (re-)connect with nature, yet no systematic synthesis of the empirical literature on humanânature connection (HNC) exists. We reviewed 475 publications on HNC and found that most research has concentrated on individuals at local scales, often leaving ânatureâ undefined. Cluster analysis identified three subgroups of publications: first, HNC as mind, dominated by the use of psychometric scales, second, HNC as experience, characterised by observation and qualitative analysis; and third, HNC as place, emphasising place attachment and reserve visitation. To address the challenge of connecting humanity with nature, future HNC scholarship must pursue cross-fertilization of methods and approaches, extend research beyond individuals, local scales, and Western societies, and increase guidance for sustainability transformations
Leverage points for sustainability transformation: a review on interventions in food and energy systems
© 2019 Elsevier B.V. There is increasing recognition that sustainability science should be solutions orientated and that such solutions will often require transformative change. However, the concrete sustainability interventions are often not clearly communicated, especially when it comes to the transformative change being created. Using food and energy systems as illustrative examples we performed a quantitative systematic review of empirical research addressing sustainability interventions. We use a modified version of Donella Meadows' notion of âleverage pointsâ â places in complex systems where relatively small changes can lead to potentially transformative systemic changes â to classify different interventions according to their potential for system wide change and sustainability transformation. Our results indicate that the type of interventions studied in the literature are partially driven by research methods and problem framings and that âdeep leverage pointsâ related to changing the system's rules, values and paradigms are rarely addressed. We propose that for initiating system wide transformative change, deep leverage points â the goals of a system, its intent, and rules â need to be addressed more directly. This, in turn, requires an explicit consideration of how scientific approaches shape and constrain our understanding of where we can intervene in complex systems
Reconnecting with nature for sustainability
Calls for humanity to âreconnect to natureâ have grown increasingly louder from both scholars and civil society. Yet, there is relatively little coherence about what reconnecting to nature means, why it should happen and how it can be achieved. We present a conceptual framework to organise existing literature and direct future research on humanânature connections. Five types of connections to nature are identified: material, experiential, cognitive, emotional, and philosophical. These various types have been presented as causes, consequences, or treatments of social and environmental problems. From this conceptual base, we discuss how reconnecting people with nature can function as a treatment for the global environmental crisis. Adopting a socialâecological systems perspective, we draw upon the emerging concept of âleverage pointsââplaces in complex systems to intervene to generate changeâand explore examples of how actions to reconnect people with nature can help transform society towards sustainability
Interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research and practice: Balancing expectations of the 'old' academy with the future model of universities as 'problem solvers'
Academics are increasingly required to balance the expectations of the âoldâ academy with a future model of universities as interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary âproblem
solversâ. This paper highlights changing expectations of
academics in producing alternative research outcomes in
collaborative, practiceâbased research. Through a series
of workshops with 20 researchers, preferred research
outcomes and tensions in achieving these outcomes were
identified. The tensions identified are presented as three
dichotomies comprising the tension between: (a) âI versus
Weâ â individual versus team expectations & outcomes. (b)
Disciplinary outcomes versus interâ/transdisciplinary outcomes. (c) Learning versus research objectives for the students and academics involved. These tensions reflect the
authorsâ experiences of working in three international sustainability projects, drawing on lessons learned from these
projects, with recommendations for universities seeking
to implement interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary doctoral and postdoctoral programmes. Recommendations include the need for formal and informal leadership models, strong communication skills, empathy and willingness to
learn from each other. A need for more systemic changes
within university administration to better reward and value
the breadth and depth of collaborative work, while facilitating open learning cultures and practiceâoriented learning opportunities and curricula across faculties was also
identified