SocioEconomic Systems and Earth Systems - SES&ES

Planet Earth has undergone a tumoltuous evolution, settling into a relatively stable and apparently self-regulating state of the Holocene epoch some 11,000 years ago. Within this era, Homo sapiens emerged as a dominant force, progressively impacting the planet's processes and ecosystems. In the last century that impact accelerated to levels that led a lot of the earth’s systems transgressing the boundaries of that relatively stable equilibrium to start an era, now often termed the Anthropocene, that we have not previously experienced and cannot forecast the full consequences. Our species, besides being incredibly successful in expanding its reach and population, has also altered its role in the natural order, becoming the global apex predator and harnessing a very large share of planetary resources to its service in unprecedented ways. The development of complex human societies played a significant role in this transformation, enabling cooperation on a large scale and increasing energy consumption and resource extraction per capita. These advancements have led to exceeding planetary boundaries, threatening the very systems essential for human survival. Addressing these challenges requires profound changes that are likely to necessitate reevaluating societal models and fostering innovation towards sustainable, resource-limited, and circular economies. As we stand today, even relatively minor course corrections relative to these profound changes likely to be needed seem extremely difficult to implement with existing political systems and colective governance and institutions. Obstacles abound, from geopolitical tensions to ineffective or powerless global institutions or reluctance among consumers and policymakers. An underlying discussion on beliefs also looms: should we rely on human ingenuity and technological advancements, or do we need to actively pursue systemic changes to ensure long-term sustainability?
The SES&ES initiative endeavors to address these fundamental question aiming to understand and explore the prospects of these alternatives by researching the models of interction between Socio-economic systems anf the Earth systems and fostering critical thinking and debate on long term compatibility of these systems, utilizing the latest knowledge across disciplines such as Earth systems science, ecology, economics, sociology, political science and psychology. Socio-economic systems (SESs) govern resource allocation, wealth distribution, and societal interactions, evolving in response to technology, ideology, and external factors. Earth systems (ESs) encompass dynamic interactions between Earth's components, crucial for understanding natural phenomena and managing resources sustainably. This initiative explores the interconnectedness of SESs and ESs to address societal challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss. Through collaboration with Porto University faculties and global research institutes, SES&SES seeks to raise awareness among students and society about the complexities of this challenge. This involves delving into historical perspectives on humanity's development and impacts, examining the emergence and evolution of societal structures, and analyzing the interactions between Earth systems and human activities. By integrating diverse viewpoints and models from complementary fields, the initiative seeks to assess the viability of different scenarios and identify pathways towards sustainable futures. Central to this endeavor is understanding human psychology, cultural dynamics, political science, and institutional frameworks, which currently extend beyond existing models' scope. SES&ES aims to facilitate multidisciplinary dialogues and research efforts, drawing upon insights from natural and social sciences to envision thriving societies within the constraints of planetary boundaries and ensuring the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals for a global population of 10 billion people.
SES&ES is a mixed research group that aims to incresingly integrate external partners and advisors of different relevant fields and institutions.
Our group is currently recruiting two full time researchers and preparing our inaugural symposium which will be convened by Rik Leemans and will be dedicated to comparatively accessing the existing conceptual frameworks for the interaction between Socio-economic systems and the Earth Systems.
Our group is currently recruiting two full time researchers and preparing our inaugural symposium which will be convened by Rik Leemans and will be dedicated to comparatively accessing the existing conceptual frameworks for the interaction between Socio-economic systems and the Earth Systems.