Open session: Culture and transformative change

Introduction to the session

A transformative change in society stems from an understanding of urgency based on natural scientific facts. However, for it to happen, it must also be deeply rooted in the human mind and culture. In this session, we invite short and focused presentations (7+3 minutes) addressing various scientific and societal endeavors that explore the relationship between transformative change, biological diversity, and human culture—including the arts.

Session programme

13:30: Welcome and introduction to the session

13:40: More than Water: Perceived Impacts of River Changes on People and Biodiversity
Anna Scaini, Department of Physical Geography and Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm university
Emma Gudmundsson, Department of Physical Geography and Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm university
Sanna Stålhammar, SLU Alnarp

13:50: Social movements for more-than-human justice and representation
Thomas Laurien, HDK-Valand - Academy of Art and Design, University of Gothenburg

14:00: The Craft Laboratory. Garden and Landscape Crafts – Indispensable Tools for Biological Cultural Heritage Preservation
Eva Gustavsson, Craft Laboratory, Department of Conservation, University of Gothenburg,

14:10 Fire and herbivory – key drivers of temperate open ecosystems and biobiversity
Karin Amsten, Foundation Nordens Ark, Hunnebostrand
Jelle van Zanten, Foundation Nordens Ark, Hunnebostrand,
Marcin Churski, Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Białowieża
Mats Niklasson, Foundation Nordens Ark, Hunnebostrand; Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, Swedish University of Agrucultural Science, Alnarp

14:20: Reimagining Outdoor Recreation: The Role of Place for Outdoor Recreation
Oskar Abrahamsson, University of Gothenburg, Department of Economy and Society

14:30: Protecting elephants through science and dance: a powerful environmental education approach
Ana Raquel Sales, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro
Kate Elizabeth Evans, Elephants for Africa, Khumaga, Botswana; Gothenburg Globa Biodiversity Centre, University of Gothenburg
Mário J. Pereira, Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro

14:40: Fostering Learning at the CampLab: Developing Multispecies Living lab in the Wild 
Katerina Cerna, Halmstad University
Asya Ilgun, University of Technology, Graz, Austria
Svenja Keune, University of Borås

14:50: Concluding reflections

Abstracts accepted for poster presentation:

• Oak-trees and Humans: Relation-Shaping Nature Care
  Joakim Seiler, Department of Conservation, University of Gothenburg
  Thomas Laurien, HDK-Valand - Academy of Art and Design, University of Gothenburg
• Do we need a new concept of sustainability?
  Andreas Seiler, SLU Uppsala
• Situating Biodiversity in Santanan Dharma – Certain Glimpses from the Vedic Literature of India & its Current Manifestations 
  Tinni Goswami, St. Xavier’s College

More information about the session

Language: English
Time and venue: 13:30-15:00, Antarktis.
Facilitator: Katarina Saltzman, Gothenburg University

Strategy for transformative change in focus for the session

IPBES highlights 5 complementary key strategies for transformative change: From conserving vital places to shifting values. Together these create pathways to just and sustainable futures. Learn more: IPBES Transformative Change Assessment: Chapter 5. Realizing a sustainable world for nature and people: transformative strategies, actions and roles for all

As indicated in the illustration below, session 13 focuses mainly on strategies:

1: Conserve and regenerate places of value to nature and people.
5: Shift views and values to recognize human-nature interconnectedness