scholarly journals Inner transformation to sustainability as a deep leverage point: fostering new avenues for change through dialogue and reflection

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Woiwode ◽  
Niko Schäpke ◽  
Olivia Bina ◽  
Stella Veciana ◽  
Iris Kunze ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Human Nature ◽  
Conceptual Understanding ◽  
System Change ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Leverage Points ◽  
Leverage Point ◽  
Nature Connectedness ◽  
Concrete Elements ◽  
Structured Approach

AbstractThis article provides a rationale for inner transformation as a key and hitherto underresearched dimension of sustainability transformations. Inner transformation relates to various aspects of human existence and interactions such as consciousness, mindsets, values, worldviews, beliefs, spirituality and human–nature connectedness. The article draws on Meadows’ leverage points approach, as places to intervene in a system, to reveal the relevance of inner transformation for system change towards sustainability. Based on insights from a series of dialogue and reflection workshops and a literature review, this article provides three important contributions to sustainability transformations research: first, it increases our conceptual understanding of inner transformation and its relevance for sustainability; second, it outlines concrete elements of the inner transformation-sustainability nexus in relation to leverage points; and third, it presents practical examples illustrating how to work with leverage points for supporting inner transformation. In sum, the paper develops a systematized and structured approach to understanding inner transformation, including the identification of deep, i.e., highly influential, leverage points. In addition, it critically discusses the often contentious and divergent perspectives on inner transformation and shows related practical challenges. Finally, current developments in inner transformation research as well as further research needs are identified.

The impacts of social-ecological system change on human-nature connectedness: A case study from Transylvania, Romania

2019 ◽  
Vol 89 ◽  
pp. 104232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ágnes Balázsi ◽  
Maraja Riechers ◽  
Tibor Hartel ◽  
Julia Leventon ◽  
Joern Fischer
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
System Change ◽  
Ecological System ◽  
Social Ecological ◽  
Nature Connectedness

scholarly journals Indigenous and local knowledge in environmental management for human-nature connectedness: a leverage points perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 290-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aracely Burgos-Ayala ◽  
Amanda Jiménez-Aceituno ◽  
Aura Marcela Torres-Torres ◽  
Daniel Rozas-Vásquez ◽  
David P. M. Lam
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Management ◽  
Human Nature ◽  
Local Knowledge ◽  
Leverage Points ◽  
Indigenous And Local Knowledge ◽  
Nature Connectedness

scholarly journals Participatory collective farming as a leverage point for fostering human-nature connectedness

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 222-234
Author(s):  
Irene Pérez-Ramírez ◽  
Marina García-Llorente ◽  
Clara Saban de la Portilla ◽  
Alejandro Benito ◽  
Antonio J. Castro
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
Leverage Point ◽  
Collective Farming ◽  
Nature Connectedness

scholarly journals Places to Intervene in a Socio-Ecological System: A Blueprint for Transformational Change

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 9474
Author(s):  
Teemu Koskimäki
Keyword(s):  
Transformational Change ◽  
System Change ◽  
Ecological Systems ◽  
Ecological System ◽  
Intergovernmental Organizations ◽  
Leverage Points ◽  
Global Environmental Problems ◽  
System A ◽  
Leverage Point ◽  
Global Environmental

The scientific community and many intergovernmental organizations are now calling for transformational change to the prevailing socioeconomic systems, to solve global environmental problems, and to achieve sustainable development. Leverage point frameworks that could facilitate such transformative system change have been created and are in use, but major issues remain. Scholars use the leverage point term in multiple contradicting ways, often confusing it with system outcomes or specific interventions. Accordingly, the underlying structural causes of unsustainability have received insufficient consideration in the proposed actions for transformational change. In this work, I address these issues by clarifying the definition for leverage points and by integrating them into a new blueprint for transformational change, with clarified structure and clearly defined transformational change terminology. I then theoretically demonstrate how the nine phases of the blueprint could be applied to both plan and implement transformational change in a socio-ecological system. Although the blueprint is designed to be applied for socio-ecological systems at national and international scales, it could also be applied to plan and implement transformational change in various sub-systems.

scholarly journals Leverage points to foster human–nature connectedness in cultural landscapes

AMBIO ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maraja Riechers ◽  
Ioana Alexandra Pătru-Dușe ◽  
Ágnes Balázsi
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Cultural Landscapes ◽  
Structural Diversity ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Leverage Points ◽  
Sustainability Transformation ◽  
Nature Connectedness ◽  
Ecologically Sustainable ◽  
Empirical Case Studies

AbstractCalls for a reconnection to nature and the biosphere have been growing louder over the last decades. Cultural landscapes are rapidly changing, posing a threat to ecosystems and biodiversity, but also to human–nature connections. Human–nature connectedness may be a potential lever to shift the unsustainable trajectory that we are currently proceeding, but is also negatively influenced by it. To concretize the call for a reconnection to nature, we used the leverage points perspective on five empirical case studies with focus on human–nature connectedness. Based on the synthesis of our yearlong work, in this perspective paper, we propose four leverage points to foster a sustainability transformation: (1) maintain and enhance the structural diversity of landscapes, (2) maintain and enhance economically and ecologically sustainable small-scale agriculture, (3) strengthen sense of place and (4) strengthen sense of agency in actors. Intervening in these leverage points could be effective to foster human–nature connectedness and ultimately contribute towards a sustainable trajectory. We further argue that the interconnection between leverage points is equally important as their systemic depth.

scholarly journals Human-nature connectedness as a pathway to sustainability: a global meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gladys Barragan-Jason ◽  
Claire de Mazancourt ◽  
Camille Parmesan ◽  
Michael Singer ◽  
Michel Loreau
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Education ◽  
Human Nature ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Conservation Policy ◽  
Leverage Point ◽  
Mindfulness Practices ◽  
Nature Connectedness

Abstract Internationally-agreed sustainability goals are being missed. Here, we show how the extent to which humans see themselves as part of nature –known as human-nature connectedness (HNC) –can be used as a leverage point for reaching sustainability. We conduct the first global meta-analysis of the HNC literature. Meta-analysis of 147 correlational studies documents that individuals with high HNC had more pro-nature behaviours and were significantly healthier than those with low HNC. Meta-analysis of 59 experimental studies documents no effect of environmental education on HNC while HNC significantly increased after manipulations involving contact with nature and mindfulness practices. Thus, HNC is positively linked to mindsets that value sustainability and behaviours that enhance it. Further, we show that HNC can be enhanced by interventions and we identify techniques most likely to succeed. These results suggest that enhancing HNC, via promotion of targeted practices, can improve sustainability and should be integrated into conservation policy.

scholarly journals Human-nature connectedness as leverage point

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 215-221
Author(s):  
Maraja Riechers ◽  
Ágnes Balázsi ◽  
Marina García-Llorente ◽  
Jacqueline Loos
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
Leverage Point ◽  
Nature Connectedness

scholarly journals How do we know where there is potential to intervene and leverage impact in a changing system? The practitioners perspective

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Birney
Keyword(s):  
International Development ◽  
Systems Change ◽  
System Change ◽  
Systems Dynamics ◽  
Leverage Points ◽  
Actionable Knowledge ◽  
The Future ◽  
Sustainability Challenges ◽  
The Right ◽  
Silver Bullet

AbstractMore and more people and organisations who are addressing complex sustainability challenges are turning to systems change practices. They are looking to get to grips with complexity and to better understand how to use their resources, position and influence to address the challenges. These people are working across civil society, philanthropy, business, international development, government and beyond. Many hope that adopting this emerging practice will give them the answers to the long held questions of – How do I know where to intervene? How do I know that what I am doing is the ‘right’ thing? Am I using my resources for their greatest effect? Once we have set ambitious goals around issues like inequality and climate change, how do I know I am creating impact?. In 1999 Donella Meadows wrote a paper entitled Leverage points: places to intervene in a system to help translate the work of systems dynamics into understanding where a small amount of energy might have a greater effect. Ever since, practitioners have been chasing these elusive leverage points trying to understand how this might be made useful and practical. There is, however, no silver bullet to changing a system. At Forum for the Future and through the School of System Change, we work on a number of different projects such as the Protein Challenge and Boundless Roots Community as well as collaborate on, coach and co-inquire with others such as the Marine CoLAB, Oneless, Lankelly Chase Foundation. In this paper we seek to build on systems change ideas and theories, using Forum for the Future experience of working with these ideas in practice, and offer actionable knowledge (Coghlan 2007) to other change makers who are grappling with these questions. This paper provides four qualities that help us understand the dynamics of a changing system, and how potential in these dynamics might be identified and be translated into strategy and interventions. I explore and illustrate these through cases and examples and raise the question about how change makers might value what we measure when understanding impact in the context of a changing system.

Effect of High Temperature on Concrete: A Literature Review

2006 ◽  
Vol 302-303 ◽  
pp. 138-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gai Fei Peng ◽  
Sammy Yin Nin Chan ◽  
Qi Ming Song ◽  
Quan Xin Yi
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Elevated Temperature ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
High Strength Concrete ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Standard Fire ◽  
Fire Condition

This paper presents a review on the effect of fire on concrete, citing 43 references. It was found that most of them are on the behavior of concrete under high temperature conditions more or less different from the standard fire condition. The problem of spalling, which high-strength concrete encounters when exposed to fire, is especially urgent to solve. Since the literature on the behavior of concrete under fire conditions is very limited, the literature even under elevated temperature has to be used as a part of the base of further research. The further research needs urgently to be carried out under the standard fire condition. Residual mechanical properties reported in most previous literature might be overestimated, where natural cooling was usually employed. Proper evaluation of fire resistance of concrete needs more experimental data obtained under various cooling regimes such as water spraying or water quenching.

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