Shaping the Future
Global warming and biodiversity loss 1970-2020 (adapted from #BiodiversityStripes)
“The patient Earth is sick. Global environmental disruptions can have serious consequences for human health. It’s time for doctors to give a world diagnosis and advise on treatment.” (Per Fugelli, 1993)
Per Fugelli’s analysis from 1993 is unfortunately still correct. In fact, it has gotten worse. Symptoms of our planet being seriously ill are all obvious. “Sustainable development” has been identified as a treatment since 1992 based on the “Limits to Growth” diagnosis dating back to 1972. Treatments for curation, however, either were applied in homeopathic doses, might still not be fully developed, or there is simply not a one-and-only generic treatment applicable to any society.
What would Planetary Health entail? The curve of biodiversity loss would be bent soon. Temperature rise would be stopped between 1,5° and 2°. But most importantly, we would live in a world with a just and fair distribution of resources that lets everybody live in a healthy environment. All this would be based on an economy that is organised in a way that does not overuse the Earth’s resources. During curation, we will have to cope with various limitations on the execution of freedom rights and re-distribution of wealth – a wicked problem, and even after the treatment, we have to exercise to stay healthy, while a complete cure might be impossible.
Our mission
Sustainable development still is the treatment for curation: a fair distribution of resources to everybody, sustaining life on earth and human well-being for current and future generations. However, one cannot cure a disease with the same mechanisms that generated the situation. Our beliefs that technology will save us and that humans will adapt to any possible changes are questionable. Effective measures for sustainable development should be grounded on new narratives based on new theories to understand what works in what kind of society.
Our mission is to develop sustainable, socially just, and environmentally friendly solutions by bridging disciplines and fostering collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and society.
Our vision
Consequently, the LCSES strives to grow into an internationally recognised research hub for a sustainable and equitable world.
Our researchers will address critical environmental challenges and guide sustainable resource management and public policy. As an interdisciplinary centre, LCSES will bring together experts from various fields, including biodiversity research, global food security, one health, and the governance of common goods.
Our goal is to help societies to transition to environmentally friendly and just conditions. At the core is the recognition that global environmental disruptions such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion are closely linked with societal systems. To address these complex issues, we take a systemic approach and study the interconnectedness of human activities and the environment.
A one-stop-hub to inspire change with novel narratives
LCSES integrates knowledge from both the natural and social sciences, including environmental sciences, biodiversity research, resource economics, sociology, philosophy, psychology and policy studies. This systemic approach enables the development of innovative models and strategies.
LCSES will use advanced methods like data science, modelling, simulation, and artificial intelligence to combine existing data, test models against different cultural backgrounds, and conduct innovative research in environmental science and sustainability.
By collaborating with policymakers, NGOs, and the private sector, LCSES will ensure its research informs and guides real-world decision-making. The centre strives to make its scientific findings accessible to a broader audience and to foster public dialogue.