Date: February 18, 2025
Location: Room 1101,College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment
Time: 13:30 – 15:30
Title: Transformative Change and Global Sustainability
Attendees: 112
The College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment hosted an insightful lecture, along with meetings with the Dean, Associate Deans, and selected students, by Dr. Arun Agrawal, Pulte Family Professor and founding director of the Just Transformations to Sustainability Initiative at the University of Notre Dame; Dr. Agrawal is a member of the National Academy of Sciences. The event, part of the Weaver Lecture Series, attracted over 100 students, faculty, alumni, and community members who gathered at the Forestry, Wildlife and Environment Building for several thought-provoking meetings and discussions on global sustainability.
In his lecture, Dr. Agrawal drew over three years of research involving more than 80 scientists from 30 countries. He discussed the importance of defining and achieving transformative change in the context of global sustainability challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and sociopolitical polarization. Dr. Agrawal emphasized that sustainability cannot be achieved without transformative change, particularly in halting the rapid decline of biodiversity and nature. He explained how visions, scenarios, and action theories play pivotal roles in guiding this transformative process and highlighted the most promising strategies for reaching the 2050 Global Biodiversity Framework.
Following the lecture, attendees had the opportunity to engage with Agrawal during a reception where stimulating conversations continued. The event offered a valuable platform for faculty, students, and the public to discuss Agrawal’s insights and the critical issues of sustainability. The International Center for Climate and Global Change Research (ICCGCR) and the Complex Human-Environment Systems (CHES) Lab co-hosted the visit by Dr. Agrawal. Dr. Agrawal also had in-depth interactions with CHES members, showing interest in the projects we are working on and future potential collaborations.
