Lessons for human survival in a world without ecological templates: what can we learn from small-scale societies?

Ecology and Society

Janne I. Hukkinen¹  Emery Roe²  Jussi T. Eronen³  Roope O. Kaaronen³  Mikael A. Manninen³ 

[1] Environmental Policy Research Group, University of Helsinki;Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki;PAES, Ecosystems and Environment Research Programme, Fac­ulty of Biological and Environ­mental Sciences, University of Helsinki;

关键词: adaptation;    anthropocene;    climate change;    cultural evolution;    diversification;    environmental change;    high reliability management;    precautionary principle;    risk;   

DOI  :  10.5751/ES-12476-260302

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Historical records are incomplete templates for preparing for an uncertain future. The global utility of past ecological knowledge for present/future purposes is questioned as we move from Holocene to Anthropocene. To increase the adaptive capacity of today's societies, generalizable strategies must be identified for coping with uncertainty over a wide range of conditions and contingencies. We identify two key principles that increase adaptive capacities: diversification and precautionary heuristics. These sharply contrast with the present global state represented by the global production ecosystem characterized by:(1) homogenization and simplification of cultural practices and resource bases; (2) increased global connectivity and forced dissolution of cultural borders; and (3) centralization and intensification of modes of resource production and extraction. We highlight that responses of smaller-scale societies to risks and uncertainties are in many cases emulated by professionals in the high reliability management in today's critical infrastructures. This provides a modern template for managing unpredictability in the Anthropocene.

【 授权许可】

Unknown