Social-ecological systems (SES) research offers new theory and evidence to transform sustainable development to better contend with the challenges of the Anthropocene. Four insights from contemporary SES literature on (a) intertwined SES, (b) cross-scale dynamics, (c) systemic tipping points, and (d) transformational change are explored. Based on these insights, shifts in sustainable development practice are suggested to recognize and govern the complex and codeveloping social and ecological aspects of development challenges. The potential susceptibility of SES to nonlinear systemic reconfigurations is highlighted, as well as the opportunities, agency, and capacities required to foster reconfigurative transformations for sustainable development. SES research proposes the need for diverse values and beliefs that are more in tune with the deep, dynamic connections between social and ecological systems to transform development practice and to support capacities to deal with shocks and surprises. From these perspectives, SES research offers new outlooks, practices, and novel opportunity spaces from which to address the challenges of the Anthropocene.
Information
Research news | 2021-01-27
The Nordic countries’ most important global contribution to achieving food related sustainability goals may come from their innovation agencies
Research news | 2021-01-26
Stockholm Resilience Centre and Royal Swedish Academy among partners in effort to boost focus on social and environmental sustainability of Swedish and international financial markets
General news | 2021-01-22
Miriam Huitric, the centre’s director of studies, reflects on teaching, time and murder mysteries
Research news | 2021-01-22
Centre theme leader Juan Rocha explains why sustainability science has much to gain from a complexity perspective
Research news | 2021-01-20
Health check-up shows both better and worse status than expected
Research news | 2021-01-19
With Covid-19 restrictions stopping human observations of bird colonies, increased presence of sea eagles is disturbing breeding among common murres
Stockholm Resilience Centre | Stockholm University, Kräftriket 2B | SE-10691
Phone: +46 8 674 70 70
Organisation number: 202100-3062
VAT No: SE202100306201