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Bridging Earth System Science and Earth System Governance
Time:
Thursday, 26/Oct/2023:
8:30am - 10:00am
Location:GR -1.075
Session Conference Streams:
Inter- and Transdisciplinarity for Sustainability Transformations
Meeting ID: 897 7599 9560
Passcode: 303139
Presentations
Bridging Earth System Science and Earth System Governance
Chair(s): Rakhyun E. Kim (Utrecht University), Eric Galbraith (McGill University)
Presenter(s): Frank Biermann (Utrecht University), Åsa Persson (Stockholm Environment Institute), Louis Kotzé (North-West University), Timothy Lenton (University of Exeter), Peter Verburg (Vrij Universiteit Amsterdam)
A healthy and constructive relationship between Earth System Science (ESS) and Earth System Governance (ESG) is crucial for building a sustainable society. However, the gap between the two communities has increasingly widened, and the time is ripe for a deeper dialogue.
ESS has developed many insights on the functioning of the non-human aspects of our planet, and has identified many looming dangers that threaten the continued wellbeing of humanity. Frequently, these insights have been translated - by scientists - into popular concepts intended to drive changes in human behavior, such as the notions of planetary boundaries and tipping points. However, these notions have often been formulated based largely on the understanding of the non-human system, without considering democratic principles, legitimacy, or political realities. As a result they have, arguably, contributed relatively little to actual governance at the global scale, where the needs are most acute.
ESG has engaged ESS in at least two ways: as a starting point to explore policy and governance implications and as an object of critique in terms of democratic legitimacy, representation, performativity, and consequences for global equality. However, there have been few efforts to reconcile these approaches together in a more constructive engagement with the ESS community. The ESG research community has the potential to improve the practice of ESS for improved legitimacy and effectiveness which could, in turn, further the growth of global democratic mechanisms.
This innovative session will aim to spark a deeper discussion between ESS and ESG scholars, to:
(1) share concerns and aspirations;
(2) identify under-researched topics;
(3) lower cultural barriers; and
(4) design constructive strategies.
The hope is that, by forming a stronger bridge of communication between these two communities, we can collaborate towards operationalizable, effective and scientifically-sound strategies to improve governance at the scale of the Earth system.
