“S&T&I for 2050” aims at broadening the focus of STI to encompass multiple conceptualisations of human-nature relations. To do this, a framework was constructed around the concept of ecosystem performance as driver of STI, instead of human performance. This places the attention on the flourishing of ecosystems that is deeply connected to human needs and wellbeing.
Identifying STI and policy directions for ecosystem performance entails a conceptualisation of what an ecosystem is, how an ecosystem flourishes and what is the relation between humans and nature. We selected, analysed, and categorised fourteen schools of thought that have guided human activities towards ecosystem stewardship. Three perspectives resulted from this effort:
“Protecting and restoring ecosystems”, concerned with preservation of ecosystems by managing the impact from human activities;
“Co-Shaping socio-ecological systems”, concerned with simultaneous development of social practices and ecological processes towards resilience and sustainability renewal;
“Caring within hybrid collectives”, concerned with the establishment of caring relationships in new collectives with humans and other entities on an equal level.
These perspectives guided the delineation of future scenarios and STI developments in six thematic case studies.
Download the paper delineating the framework:
PROTECTING AND RESTORING ECOSYSTEMS
Schools of thought included in this perspective are:
IMP Environmental Impact Assessment
IPBES Model of biodiversity and ecosystem services
BIR Biosphere Rules
SEV Social Ecology Vienna School
CO-SHAPING SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS
Schools of thought included in this perspective are:
SES Socio-Ecological Systems
BRD Biomimicry & Regenerative Design
PHH Planetary & Human Health
PSB Planetary & Social Boundaries
with some elements of two further schools of thought:
SEV Social Ecology Vienna School
GAI Facing Gaia
CARING WITHIN HYBRID COLLECTIVES
Schools of thought included in this perspective are:
GAI Facing Gaia
KIN Kinmaking
PHK Posthuman Knowledge
MSJ Multi-Species Justice
BIC Biocentrism
DEC Deep Ecology