Change the world

07/01/2014

Through the collaborative efforts of Prof Christo Fabricius of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s Sustainability Research Unit located at the George Campus and Professor Katrina Brown and Dr Saffron O'Neill of the University of Exeter’s Environment and Sustainability, the prospects for radical transformational change have been analysed and documented in the World Social Science Report 2013. These range from significant dematerialisation of the global economy through to living with a significantly altered climate in decades to come.

Christo FabriciusThe authoritative Report, published by the International Social Sciences Council, sets the agenda for the integration of social and environmental sciences globally. Its aim is to call on users of research to deliver solutions-oriented knowledge on today’s most pressing environmental problems.

It focuses on changing global environments, addresses important societal challenges, takes stock of social and environmental science contributions and capacities, and makes recommendations for future research, practice, and policy. In so-doing it draws on analysis by 150 of the world’s leading sustainability scientists engaged in promoting environmental sustainability and tackling the global challenges and implications of environmental change.

Speaking of the chapter they contributed, and its value in informing the environmental change debate, lead author Prof Katrina Brown said: “Whatever the future, it will be transformed from that of the present, and environmental change will be one of the most significant factors. Without understanding its social dimensions, and robust social science, our ability to steer transformation to benefit humanity will be very limited.”

Said Prof Fabricius: “It was a privilege to work with the world’s leading sustainability scientists and I am very happy with the outcome. The report is extremely comprehensive and illuminating”.

Contact information
Ms Alet van Tonder
Manager: Marketing & Corporate Relations
Tel: 27 44 801 5098
alet.vantonder@mandela.ac.za