Publication Abstract

Social-ecological systems are complex and this is limiting policy actions to plan for sustainability because policy effects are deemed intractable. This is challenging our ability to progress towards our global sustainability goals. Here we show that combining qualitative estimation of interactions and influences in these systems with quantitative analyses of the behaviour of the resulting system maps can address this challenge. We use fuzzy cognitive mapping to elicit from people with different worldviews their perception of interactions among political, economic, social, technological, and environmental processes in the systems they manage. We then use quantitative simulations underpinned by these maps to show that sustainability can be achieved for all worldviews. A pluralistic solution is to develop measures that emphasize positive influences of economic processes onto environmental dimensions of our future, with frugality and international solidarity. Rewiring economies and the environment provides acceptable pathways to sustainability for people coming from different worldviews.

Bruno Oliveira; Julie Bremner*; Angel Borja; Iratxe Mentxaca; Christos Arvanitidis; Berthe M. J. Vastenhoud; David Lusseau