Pathways Forum #12 - Resource-hungry societies and a future in flux: Insights from social metabolism
Fri 15 Mar 2024 14:00 - 16:00 CET
Online, Zoom
Description
Pathways Forum #12 - Resource-hungry societies and a future in flux: Insights from social metabolism
Economic growth, through the increased production and consumption of goods and services, has long been narrated as resulting in better efficiency and enhanced wellbeing. Recent research, especially into questions of distribution and environmental justice, however, question this narrative. Meanwhile, the resource extraction and infrastructures needed to support economic growth also results in growing inequalities and systematic environmental degradation.
At a time where socio-environmental sustainability is paramount, is a decrease in resource use and the associated emissions compatible with sustained economic growth? How to identify and address the material structures and social processes that entrench unsustainable socio-economic systems? What transformations are needed in order to start envisioning alternative societies for a sustainable and just future?
This webinar explores how the social metabolic analysis framework provides powerful insights into the interrelations between society, environment, and economy. The session will cover the key concepts of social metabolism, and how it can be applied to sustainability issues. As a framework seeking to bridge the social and natural sciences, we will also discuss how a variety of disciplinary approaches can contribute to socio-metabolic research.
Speakers:
Helmut Haberl, Institute of Social Ecology Vienna
Eric Pineault, Université du Québec
Anke Schaffartzik, Central European University
Discussion facilitator:
Benjamin Fleischmann, Ph.D student at the Institute of Social Ecology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna.
This event is organized in collaboration with the Global Land Programme.