Engage key social concepts for sustainability

Authors

Christina C. Hicks, Stanford University
Arielle Levine, San Diego State University
Arun Agrawal, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Xavier Basurto, Duke University
Sara J. Breslow, NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center
Courtney Carothers, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Susan Charnley, United States Department of Agriculture
Sarah Coulthard, University of Northumbria
Nives Dolsak, University of Washington
Jamie Donatuto, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community
Carlos Garcia-Quijano, University of Rhode Island
Michael B. Mascia, Conservation International
Karma Norman, NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center
Melissa R. Poe, NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center
Terre Satterfield, The University of British Columbia
Kevin St. Martin, Department of Geography
Phillip S. Levin, NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

4-1-2016

Abstract

With humans altering climate processes, biogeochemical cycles, and ecosystem functions (1), governments and societies confront the challenge of shaping a sustainable future for people and nature. Policies and practices to address these challenges must draw on social sciences, along with natural sciences and engineering (2). Although various social science approaches can enable and assess progress toward sustainability, debate about such concrete engagement is outpacing actual use. To catalyze uptake, we identify seven key social concepts that are largely absent from many efforts to pursue sustainability goals. We present existing and emerging well-tested indicators and propose priority areas for conceptual and methodological development.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Science

Volume

352

Issue

6281

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Hicks, Christina C., Arielle Levine, Arun Agrawal, Xavier Basurto, Sara J. Breslow, Courtney Carothers, Susan Charnley, Sarah Coulthard, Nives Dolsak, Jamie Donatuto, Carlos Garcia-Quijano, Michael B. Mascia, Karma Norman, Melissa R. Poe, Terre Satterfield, Kevin St. Martin, and Phillip S. Levin. "Engage key social concepts for sustainability." Science 352, 6281 (2016). doi: 10.1126/science.aad4977.