Science for Global Sustainability: Toward a New Paradigm

William C. Clark, Paul J. Crutzen and Hans J. Schnellnhuber

No 120, CID Working Papers from Center for International Development at Harvard University

Abstract: This paper provides a context for the Dahlem Workshop on “Earth System Analysis for Sustainability.” The authors begin by characterizing the contemporary epoch of Earth history in which humanity has emerged as a major—and uniquely self-reflexive—geological force. They turn next to the extraordinary revolution in our understanding of the Earth system that is now underway, pointing out how it has built on and qualitatively extended the approaches that have served science and society so well since the first Copernican revolution. The authors then discuss the novel challenges posed by the urgent need to harness science and other forms of knowledge in promoting a worldwide sustainability transition that enhances human prosperity while protecting the Earth’s life-support systems and reducing hunger and poverty. Finally, the authors provide an overview of how the contributions to this Dahlem Workshop addressed the themes and challenges outlined in this introductory chapter.

Keywords: Dahlem Workshop; sustainability science; sustainable development; sustainability transition; Earth system analysis; Earth system science; integrated systems; global environmental change; science and technology; Wissenschaft; adaptive management; social le (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F02 H87 I3 O19 O31 O32 O33 Q01 Q56 Z13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2005-03
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cid:wpfacu:120

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