Reading: Transforming knowledge systems for life on Earth

I want to share a good reading on a very actual and important (heating to hot) topic.

Transforming knowledge systems for life on Earth: Visions of future systems and how to get there, published in “Energy Research & Social Science, Vol.70” and available on open access @ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2020.101724

Pattern shifts from ‘current challenge’s to ‘future envisioned systems’ more able to support emergence of regenerative and equitable futures, with key domains of policy and action that are needed to help this shift emerge.

Formalised knowledge systems, including universities and research institutes, are important for contemporary societies.
They are, however, also arguably failing humanity when their impact is measured against the level of progress being made in stimulating the societal changes needed to address challenges like climate change.
A novel futures-oriented and participatory approach that asked what future envisioned knowledge systems might need to look like and how we might get there, was used in this research.

Findings suggest that envisioned future systems will need to be much more collaborative, open, diverse, egalitarian, and able to work with values and systemic issues. They will also need to go beyond producing knowledge about our world to generating wisdom about how to act within it.

To get to envisioned systems we will need to rapidly scale methodological innovations, connect innovators, and creatively accelerate learning about working with intractable challenges. We will also need to create new funding schemes, a global knowledge commons, and challenge deeply held assumptions. To genuinely be a creative force in supporting longevity of human and non-human life on our planet, the shift in knowledge systems will probably need to be at the scale of the enlightenment and speed of the scientific and technological revolution accompanying the second World War. This will require bold and strategic action from governments, scientists, civic society and sustained transformational intent.}

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