Journal ArticleDOI
Social-ecological system resonance: a theoretical framework for brokering sustainable solutions
Damon M. Hall,Andrea M. Feldpausch-Parker,Tarla Rai Peterson,Jennie C. Stephens,Elizabeth J. Wilson +4 more
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TLDR
In this article, the authors argue that Niklas Luhmann's social system theory, which explains how societies communicate problems, conceptualize solutions, and identify pathways towards implementation of solutions, is valuable in explaining the general structure of sustainability science.Abstract:
Sustainability science is a solution-oriented discipline. Yet, there are few theory-rich discussions about how this orientation structures the efforts of sustainability science. We argue that Niklas Luhmann’s social system theory, which explains how societies communicate problems, conceptualize solutions, and identify pathways towards implementation of solutions, is valuable in explaining the general structure of sustainability science. From Luhmann, we focus on two key concepts. First, his notion of resonance offers us a way to account for how sustainability science has attended and responded to environmental risks. As a product of resonance, we reveal solution-oriented research as the strategic coordination of capacities, resources, and information. Second, Luhmann’s interests in self-organizing processes explain how sustainability science can simultaneously advance multiple innovations. The value logic that supports this multiplicity of self-organizing activities as a recognition that human and natural systems are complex coupled and mutually influencing. To give form to this theoretical framework, we offer case evidence of renewable energy policy formation in Texas. Although the state’s wealth is rooted in a fossil-fuel heritage, Texas generates more electricity from wind than any US state. It is politically antagonistic towards climate-change policy, yet the state’s reception of wind energy technology illustrates how social and environmental systems can be strategically aligned to generate solutions that address diverse needs simultaneously. This case demonstrates that isolating climate change—as politicians do as a separate and discrete problem—is incapable of achieving sustainable solutions, and resonance offers researchers a framework for conceptualizing, designing, and communicating meaningfully integrated actions.read more
Citations
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Beyond Frames: Recovering the Strategic in Climate Communication
TL;DR: The authors identify effective communication means for mobilizing constituencies to address climate change and distinguish between communicative acts that "mobilize" and mobilization that enables a particular end, which presupposes an account of the intentional or strategic alignment of mobilization, the predicted or assumed relationships among a mobilized public, the mode(s) of influence or leverage this creates, and th...
Journal ArticleDOI
Integrating design thinking with sustainability science: a Research through Design approach
TL;DR: This work examines the process of designing MetaMAP: an interactive graphic tool for collaborating to understand social–ecological systems and design well-integrated solutions and discusses design principles and opportunities for integrating design thinking with sustainability science to help achieve Sustainable Development Goals.
Journal ArticleDOI
Insect pollinator conservation policy innovations at subnational levels: Lessons for lawmakers
Damon M. Hall,Rebecca Steiner +1 more
TL;DR: In the absence of sweeping international agreements targeting pollinator declines, national and sub-national governments are actively deploying policies to address the pollinator health crisis as discussed by the authors. But despite scientific calls and public outcry to develop policy that addresses declines, multi-state agreements have not delivered such legislation nor met basic monitoring needs recommended by experts.
Journal ArticleDOI
Policy content analysis: Qualitative method for analyzing sub-national insect pollinator legislation
Damon M. Hall,Rebecca Steiner +1 more
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used QSR International's NVivo 10 text-based analytic software to organize and document their close-reading (line-by-line coding) of 109 laws to address insect pollinator population declines.
References
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MonographDOI
Making Social Science Matter: Why Social Inquiry Fails and How It Can Succeed Again
Bent Flyvbjerg,Steven Sampson +1 more
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