Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Video | Business Headlines | Internet | Science | Scientific Ethics | Technology | Search

 

Social Scientists Declare Climate Emergency

Members of the Association of Social Anthropologists of Aotearoa/New Zealand (ASAA/NZ) have unanimously agreed to declare a climate emergency and ratified the terms of the declaration.

The organisation’s declaration recognises the reality that human beings throughout history have come together in times of crisis to confront threats to their societies, their wellbeing and their environment. Scientific evidence confirms the greatest existential threat confronting humans is anthropogenic climate change. It also confirms the role of Indigenous knowledge and ownership of land, sea and other natural resources in protecting biodiversity and mitigating species decline.

Chair of the ASAA/NZ, Brigitte Bonisch-Brednich said “As anthropologists we are familiar with the interdependencies between the environment, livelihoods, cultures, politics, and everyday life within societies around the world. Given the mounting threats to our collective wellbeing, the time for urgent action is now.”

The declaration commits the organisation to a number of collective actions as well as behavioural changes for individual members. The association plans to make its conferences more climate aware and friendly by devoting at least one panel a year to the climate crisis, providing a digital attendance option, encouraging the use of public transport, and adopting a zero waste policy.

Significantly, the ASAA/NZ intends encouraging members and university departments to devote more research effort, policy input and informed public commentary to understanding, mitigating and adapting to climate change.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

The association will also create and support a working group that pools knowledge and expertise to identify ways in which social anthropologists can have input into Aotearoa’s local and national government policy development.

Dr Nayantara Sheoran Appleton stated, regarding the association’s action: “As social scientists, we recognise the climate crisis is the outcome of institutional as well as individual behaviour. We cannot continue with ‘business as usual.’ We believe that actions to avoid the threatened catastrophe must come from corporations, politicians, and institutions, as well as adaptations in lifestyles.”

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Business Headlines | Sci-Tech Headlines

 
GenPro: General Practices Begin Issuing Clause 14 Notices

GenPro has been copied into a rising number of Clause 14 notices issued since the NZNO lodged its Primary Practice Pay Equity Claim against General Practice employers in December 2023.More

SPADA: Screen Industry Unites For Streaming Platform Regulation & Intellectual Property Protections

In an unprecedented international collaboration, representatives of screen producing organisations from around the world have released a joint statement.More

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.