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Sociology for sustainability science

Authors :
Lennart Olsson
Ellinor Isgren
Stefano B. Longo
Andrew K. Jorgenson
Brett Clark
Richard York
David Harnesk
Anne Jerneck
Orla Kelly
Source :
Discover Sustainability, Vol 2, Iss 1, Pp 1-14 (2021)
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
Springer, 2021.

Abstract

Sociological insights are often underutilized in sustainability science. To further strengthen its commitment to interdisciplinary problem-driven, solutions-oriented research, sustainability science can better incorporate fundamental sociological conceptions into its core. We highlight four aspects of sociological thought that we consider crucial for advancing sustainability science research: (1) social construction and critical realism, (2) structure and agency, (3) historical specificity, and (4) collective action. We draw on examples from sociology to support a dynamic understanding of how social relations interact with the bio-geo-physical world. This necessary integration of sociological insights, we argue, is critical to generate comprehensive assessments of the causes and consequences of human-induced environmental change, and tend to be overlooked or oversimplified within the field of sustainability science. Beyond that, it can stimulate the development and implementation of viable solutions to sustainability challenges.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
26629984
Volume :
2
Issue :
1
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Discover Sustainability
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....44f7e28a62e3c65441ba9961cd8bd00e