The many Anthropocenes

A transdisciplinary challenge for the Anthropocene research

Bibliographic Data

ID5161975
AuthorsTero Toivanen (0000-0002-9957-5618, University of Helsinki), Karoliina Lummaa (0000-0001-7252-9147, University of Turku), Antti Majava (0009-0004-5090-3352), Paavo Järvensivu (0000-0002-8869-7038), Ville Lähde (0000-0003-1214-0484), Lähde (BIOS Research Unit, Finland), Tere Vadén (0000-0001-9076-719X), Jussi T Eronen (0000-0002-0390-8044, University of Helsinki, corresponding author), Jt Eronen (BIOS Research Unit, Finland)
Year2017
Volume4
Issue3
Pages183-198
Publication date2017-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe Anthropocene Review (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2053-0196 • E-ISSN: 2053-020X
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/2053019617738099
OpenAlexW2766623573
LanguageEN
Citations received30
References cited76

The debate on the Anthropocene has become passionate during the past few years. This is partly because social scientists and humanists have adapted the concept creatively for their own research, as well as criticized the dominant role of natural sciences in defining the Anthropocene. We claim that to achieve a new level of transdisciplinarity it is vital for the Anthropocene research to fully acknowledge the theoretical, methodological and practical issues involved. We argue that inevitable as well as fruitful antagonisms can be identified between different disciplines and practices of trans- and interdisciplinary research improved by learning from these experiences. Here we analyze three ideas to enhance future transdisciplinary communication. First, we shed light on the current condition of transdisciplinarity in Anthropocene research by examining the challenges in Earth System science. Second, we widen the view on Anthropocene research by defining four different disciplinarily oriented research approaches to the Anthropocene: geological, biological, social, and cultural Anthropocene. Third, we reflect on the future challenges of merging these approaches into a new transdisciplinary Anthropocene research

Anthropocene · Biology · Earth system science · Environmental ethics · Humanism · Political science · Social science · Sociology · Transdisciplinarity · Climate Change Communication and Perception · Ecosystem dynamics and resilience · Philosophy · Sustainability and Climate Change Governance · Ecology

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