Plural Nature(s): An Overview of Their Sociocultural Construction
Definition
:1. Introduction
- Recognise the agency and interdependence of both humans and non-humans to gain a deeper insight into social practices, as highlighted by Latour [24]. There are many possible ways to address this challenge, such as: (a) promoting interdisciplinary research that integrates ecological and social sciences for a holistic understanding of interactions between humans and nature; (b) conducting ethnographic research that involves studying and documenting the relationships between humans and non-humans in specific social contexts, as well as promoting participatory research, where all may express their visions. This can provide insights into the roles of non-human entities in shaping practices and cultural norms; (c) learning from indigenous cultures and their traditional knowledge, which acknowledges the agency and interdependence of humans and non-humans; (d) exploring environmental ethics that consider the intrinsic value of non-human entities in order to develop more ethical decision making in social practices that affect the environment; (e) advocating for, and implementing, sustainable practices that take into account the needs and agency of non-human elements, including, for example, sustainable agriculture, wildlife conservation, and responsible resource management; (f) creating public awareness campaigns that highlight the importance of recognizing the agency and interdependence of both humans and non-humans, using, for example, multimedia, art, education, storytelling, among others, to convey these concepts; (g) advocating for policies and governance structures that integrate the interests of non-human entities and prioritize their wellbeing alongside human interests, recognizing by law their rights in order to guarantee that they are truly protected, acknowledging ecosystems as active participants, and fostering sustainable practices and conservation efforts;
- Recognise different forms of social engagement within communities and their connection to the socio-cultural world and nature. This requires the adoption of grassroots policies to combat the impacts of climate change, as proposed by Alves et al. [25]. It is necessary to support grassroots movements and community-led initiatives to combat climate change impacts, but also to encourage participatory approaches in policy making to harness community knowledge and values;
- Formulate and implement policies that effectively take into account the unique socio-cultural characteristics and needs of local communities, as well as the localised consequences of socio-ecological crises, as proposed by Alves et al. [26]. This implies crafting policies reflecting local socio-cultural nuances and their implications on environmental initiatives and engaging local communities in policy design and implementation for context-specific and effective strategies;
- Include diverse forms of knowledge, language, and actors in deliberative and participatory contexts. This includes traditional, scientific, ecological, local, artistic, popular, and lay knowledge. It also means recognising the knowledge that emerges from the struggles of social movements for human dignity. Accepting this challenge means recognising and valuing alternative ways of being and, consequently, the epistemological diversity of the world, as opposed to dominant ways of knowing [27,28,29,30]. This challenge indicates the establishment of deliberative contexts valuing traditional, scientific, and local knowledge for informed decision making through affirming various knowledge sources and alternative ways of knowing in environmental discussions, as well as the need to articulate them.
2. A Brief Chronology of the Concept
3. Overcoming the Roots of the Ontological Separation between Nature and Society as a Possible Approach to Addressing the Socio-Ecological Crisis
4. Final Remarks
Author Contributions
Funding
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Nature Values | Description |
---|---|
Instrumental | Nature’s utility in serving human needs or purposes, often in economic, material, or functional terms [67]. |
Intrinsic | The inherent worth and value of nature, independent of human use or benefit, emphasizes nature’s value in its own right [68]. |
Heritage | Reflects the historical, cultural, and spiritual significance attached to specific landscapes, species, or ecosystems [69]. |
Relational | Nature is perceived as intertwined with human society in relational terms, emphasizing reciprocity, interconnectedness, and human–nature unity [70]. |
Customary and cultural | Diverse meanings and values are attributed to nature within different cultures, traditions, and customary practices, influencing environmental stewardship [71]. |
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Alves, F.; Vidal, D.G. Plural Nature(s): An Overview of Their Sociocultural Construction. Encyclopedia 2024, 4, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia4010001
Alves F, Vidal DG. Plural Nature(s): An Overview of Their Sociocultural Construction. Encyclopedia. 2024; 4(1):1-12. https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia4010001
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlves, Fátima, and Diogo Guedes Vidal. 2024. "Plural Nature(s): An Overview of Their Sociocultural Construction" Encyclopedia 4, no. 1: 1-12. https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia4010001