How can we use natural resources in a sustainable way

How can we use natural resources in a sustainable way?

Perspectives is a forum and event series where different stakeholders and researchers meet to discuss and exchange knowledge, opinions and perspectives on a topical subject. Last year, the theme was societal transformation in the north. This year, Perspectives is held on natural resources and sustainable development.

"Last year's theme had a societal perspective. This time around, it more concerns the technical-scientific perspective," says Dieter Müller, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Umeå University.

Perspectives on solutions

Humans have long used the Earth's resources beyond its capacity, leading to global warming, climate change, environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, increased inequalities in society, increased geopolitical tensions and other negative consequences for humans, animals and the environment. One way to stop this trend is to review how we use the natural resources on Earth in a more sustainable way. Nevertheless, there are a number of different perspectives that need to be taken into account in this work.

At Umeå University, several researchers dedicate their work to sustainable development from different approaches. One of them is Camilla Sandström, Professor of Political Science. She is researching how to implement sustainable transition in a fair, equitable and democratic way.

"Growth, co-growth, degrowth, ecocentrism versus anthropocentrism, right versus left - perspectives are many on the theme of natural resources and sustainable development," she says.

Camilla Sandström believes that the vast number of actors looking after their own interests without looking at the overall is one of the biggest challenges.

"Many people are claiming the same resources - sectorisation and fragmentation mean that there is no impact assessment of needs, nor how to deal with conflicts," she says.

Another Umeå researcher with a sustainability focus is Thomas Wågberg, Professor of Physics. He focuses on green energy applications in areas such as solar energy, electrolysis and fuel cells. Thomas Wågberg recognises that there are many perspectives, ranging from commercial to political, social, equity and so on.

"Ultimately, we need to talk about and achieve a shift to a more circular society that doesn't overconsume the resources on Earth. It's important to look at the opportunities the development of green technologies offer, and how we thereby can reduce the overall carbon footprint without drastically reducing our quality of life or preventing other people from improving their quality of life," he says.

One possible area of conflict he can see is that increased sustainability can lead to an increased demand for energy in the short term.

"For a fact, the development and construction of new green technologies and new renewable energy, in some cases, mean that we will initially increase the need for energy and resources," he says.

Global challenges meet local needs

Jon Moen, Professor of Ecology and researcher on sustainable land use, highlights another challenge with the sustainable development work regarding natural resources. Namely, matching global challenges with local needs and conditions.

"Nothing is more important than achieving sustainable development. We live in a time of multiple crises. We have to deal with these crises in some way, and natural resources are at the centre of many of them. Any decision about new energy systems, reducing emissions and so on boils down to a local issue - mines have to be somewhere, wind turbines need to be placed somewhere, and forests have to be cut down somewhere. In all these 'somewhere', there is an owner, rights issues, ongoing activities and so on. Global ambitions then quickly become local conflicts and a major issue is to manage these conflicts and trade-offs," he says, mentioning that well-known conflicts are found between reindeer-herding Sámi and the forestry or mining industries.

These and other perspectives will be highlighted during the Perspectives conference at Umeå University on 21-22 November. Day one will focus on academics as the target audience, while day two, on 22 November, will appeal to a wider audience. Decision-makers, politicians, societal and cultural actors and other stakeholders are invited to meet researchers and academia to focus on the challenges and opportunities of natural resources and sustainable development.

"Umeå University conducts important and relevant research on this theme. But it isn't always the researchers who have all the answers, solutions often come in the interaction with other actors in society. This is why events and meeting places like Perspectives play an important role. We hope that many people will take the opportunity to participate and be able to influence and work for our shared future," says Deputy Vice-Chancellor Dieter Müller.