A1 Journal article (refereed)
Pathways towards a sustainable future envisioned by early‐career conservation researchers (2021)

Raatikainen, K. J., Purhonen, J., Pohjanmies, T., Peura, M., Nieminen, E., Mustajärvi, L., Helle, I., Shennan-Farpón, Y., Ahti, P. A., Basile, M., Bernardo, N., Bertram, M. G., Bouarakia, O., Brias-Guinart, A., Fijen, T., Froidevaux, J. S. P., Hemmingmoore, H., Hocevar, S., Kendall, L., . . . Ziemacki, J. (2021). Pathways towards a sustainable future envisioned by early‐career conservation researchers. Conservation Science and Practice, 3(9), Article e493. https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.493

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Raatikainen, Kaisa J.; Purhonen, Jenna; Pohjanmies, Tähti; Peura, Maiju; Nieminen, Eini; Mustajärvi, Linda; Helle, Ilona; Shennan-Farpón, Yara; Ahti, Pauliina A.; Basile, Marco; et al.

Journal or series: Conservation Science and Practice

eISSN: 2578-4854

Publication year: 2021

Publication date: 26/07/2021

Volume: 3

Issue number: 9

Article number: e493

Publisher: Wiley

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.493

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/77226

Abstract

Scientists have warned decision-makers about the severe consequences of the global environmental crisis since the 1970s. Yet ecological degradation continues and little has been done to address climate change. We investigated early-career conservation researchers' (ECR) perspectives on, and prioritization of, actions furthering sustainability. We conducted a survey (n = 67) and an interactive workshop (n = 35) for ECR attendees of the 5th European Congress of Conservation Biology (2018). Building on these data and discussions, we identified ongoing and forthcoming advances in conservation science. These include increased transdisciplinarity, science communication, advocacy in conservation, and adoption of a transformation-oriented social–ecological systems approach to research. The respondents and participants had diverse perspectives on how to achieve sustainability. Reformist actions were emphasized as paving the way for more radical changes in the economic system and societal values linked to the environment and inequality. Our findings suggest that achieving sustainability requires a strategy that (1) incorporates the multiplicity of people's views, (2) places a greater value on nature, and (3) encourages systemic transformation across political, social, educational, and economic realms on multiple levels. We introduce a framework for ECRs to inspire their research and practice within conservation science to achieve real change in protecting biological diversity.

Keywords: Anthropocene; climate changes; environment; environmental protection; nature conservation; natural diversity; biodiversity; climate strategies; environmental policy; sustainable development; societal change; reformism; researchers

Free keywords: anthropocene; biodiversity loss; climate change; global change; leverage points; new conservation; radicalism; reformism; sustainability; world Scientists' warning to humanity

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2021

JUFO rating: 1