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

Ecology and Society: a journal of integrative science for resilience and sustainability

article

Roope O. Kaaronen¹  Mikael A. Manninen¹  Emery Roe⁴  Janne I. Hukkinen²  Jussi T. Eronen¹ 

[1] PAES, Ecosystems and Environment Research Programme, Fac­ulty of Biological and Environ­mental Sciences, University of Helsinki;Environmental Policy Research Group, University of Helsinki;Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science ,(HELSUS), University of Helsinki;Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki;Center for Catastrophic Risk Management, University of California;BIOS Research Unit

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

DOI  :  10.5751/ES-12476-260302

学科分类：生物科学（综合）

来源: Resilience Alliance Publications

【 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】

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