Humanity annually uses one and a half planets’ worth of renewable resources to meet its immediate needs and desires by inadvertently degrading the ecosystems on which future generations depend. Guidelines for sustaining ecosystems and human wellbeing are generally well-understood and can increase opportunities for future generations to thrive. This requires understanding and maintenance of the fundamental controls over ecosystem function (soils, climate, organismic diversity, and disturbance) and the shaping of cultures, values, and institutions of societies in ways that enable both nature and societies to flourish. Ecosystem services and social-ecological stewardship (or exploitation) link the wellbeing of ecosystems and society and are important intervention points for stewardship. Based on a synthesis of literature in ecology, earth-system science, psychology, sociology, and political science, we summarize the general principles of social-ecological stewardship and outline a strategy for managing sustainable change to shape fundamental controls over the wellbeing of ecosystems and society.
Results/Conclusions
We suggest a multi-dimensional approach in which both individuals and institutions play key roles in adapting sustainably to ongoing changes. First, broaden recognition of the fundamental interdependence of people and nature through both education and the immersion of people—especially young people—in many types of nature, ranging from wilderness and working landscapes to urban zoos, gardens, and parks. Second, manage ecosystem services by sustaining biophysical controls that support key functional groups of organisms and reduce likelihood of invasion by novel functional groups. Third, promote non-consumptive dimensions of wellbeing and reduce incentives for unnecessary consumption through shifting of social norms. Fourth, use positive messaging and solution-focused dialogue to build collaborations around points of agreement about sustaining valued places. Finally, pursue respectful political action to address issues that are insufficiently addressed by dialogue and collaboration. We describe critical roles that ecologists can play in each of these strategy elements.