Transformation of social and ecological systems

Authors

  • Emilio F. Moran Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5007/2175-7984.2011v10n19p11

Abstract

The evolution of social ecological systems is characterized by a lengthy process of steady of slow population growth, appropriation of natural resources, and ever growing complexity. From hunter gatherers first, to extensive and then intensive farmers, to urban industrial aggregations has taken place worldwide in episodic and highly differentiated geographical distribution. It is in the last 50 years that this process has begun to go exponential and to have planetary significance. What used to be episodic periods of regional growth and expansion in the use of resources has grown into a cumulative process that now threatens the planet through the emission of global warming gases, climatic change, and the loss of cultural and biological diversity. The paper identifies some of the changes needed to begin to address this conundrum.

Author Biography

Emilio F. Moran, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America.

Professor of Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America. Email: moran@indiana.edu

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Published

2011-10-29

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 19 (2011)

Section

Thematic Dossier

License

The articles and other work published in Política & Sociedade, a journal associated to the Graduate Program in Sociology at UFSC, are the property of the journal. A new publication of the same text, whether by the initiative of the author or third parties, must indicate that it was previously published in this journal, citing the edition and date of publication.

 This work is licensed under the Creative Common License