Science and scientists facing environmental crisis and global change What can we do?

Environment, Energy and Climate: global crisis  A complex problem  Role of science and knowledge  Uncertainties, new interrogations, new social roles, new scenarios  Is a new science needed or just another way of doing it?

THE FUTURE STARTED YESTERDAY… A constant environmental damage to natural resources, biodiversity losses; water, land and soil pollution. Unplanned land-use change leading to the inability of social organizations to achieve self-sufficiency in basic aspects and environmental management, thus increasing vulnerability. The current main limiting factor is not scientific and technical, but economical, political and social.

Huracán Stan HURRICANE STAN 2006

TABASCO 2007

The global crisis in fact includes at least four interrelated globalizations : Environment, Energy, Economy and Climate

Global scenario  Around 50% of mangrove forests have been lost  11% of coral reefs were destroyed before 1998; 16% during 1998 and ~30% are endangered over the next 10 years  Global climate change threatens sea and coastal ecosystems increasing extreme events: eroding beaches, floods and losses of habitats  There has been a meaningful increase in the frequency and toxicity of red tides in the last 20 years.  1/3 of the world’s coasts are at high risk of degradation due to developments in infrastructure and contamination  600,000 km² of sea-grass habitats are being destroyed

Regional scenario : GEO3- PNUMA Essential problems with seas and coasts: Pollution originated from land sources Destruction of habitats, because of the fact of chaotic urbanization Ecosystem damage due to contamination and excessive exploitation Overexploitation of commercial species Extinction and threat of vulnerable species Lack of appropriate legislation for coasts and seas

Country World deforestation 4% of the world deforestation, approximately, occurs in México; more than 600,000 ha. is lost each year Deforestation in megadiverse tropical countries Annual deforestation The world’s deforestation reached 15 million ha. per year through , 83% of the total corresponds to tropical forests Zaire 370, Brazil 2,530, Malasia 255, Colombia 890, México >700, Ecuador 340, Madagascar 156, Indonesia 620, surface (ha)rate (%)

Energy: a great challenge An “energetic transition” leading to a model based on renewable resources and an efficient use of energy; emphasizing resource diversification, decentralization and support to rural zones. How to reconcile a fair development of human beings able to demand their rights for energy and other resources with the physical limits of the planet? What are Mexico’s options regarding energy issues, considering the consequences derived from alterations in environment, climate, social equity, democracy… and our technological dependence? Which are the suitable models for generation, transmission and distribution of energy for Mexico? How to decide?

The role of scientists in paradigm change Compartmentalization of science avoids confrontation of complex problems and divides efforts. These problems demand a new way of interaction between scientists of different branches of knowledge. Transdisciplinarity is necessary to build up original forward-looking approaches based on “self-criticism” of science and technology.

The current socio-economic-environmental crisis facing devastating consequences in the short and long-term, makes necessary to promote scientific development and its application for social benefits and for sustainability, equity, democracy and justice principles. To accomplish these objectives, it is essential to proceed with a long-term holistic approach to provide an integrative perspective of society and its relationship with nature. …the role play by scientists

Some of UCCS proposals… Built a new model to approach knowledge in a collective, well-founded and critical way; integrating traditional learning to create a closer relation between science and society Unlock science to complex thought, interdisciplinary methods and knowledge dialogue. Help society to own scientific and technological knowledge, incorporating it to traditional learning; therefore, social benefits and environmental sustainability will be privileged over science as an instrument of economic and war control.

…some of UCCS proposals Our main purpose is to create an environmental social responsible science; to achieve it we suggest: Interdisciplinary analysis of recent scientific developments, their applications and risks. Communicate the results of these analysis and submit them for reassessment inside universities and other educational and research centers; as well as within social organizations by means of conferences, workshops and communication media. Open debates over interdisciplinary science towards a knowledge dialogue. Explore new forms of links to society paying special attention to organizations with social vocation who promote a sustainable management of environmental and natural resources.

…some of UCCS proposals Encourage the training of new scientists under a responsible and interdisciplinary critical context. Assistance to develop codes of ethics for scientific practice in agreement with our own reality, the potential of science and include all kinds of learning. Built a heritage of critical studies concerning the role of science in society. Question the current science development policies in Mexico and the one-dimensional ways frequently used by scientific research; as well as analyze national issues demanding special attention. Coordinate efforts with other groups of Mexican and worldwide scientists sharing our worries and objectives.

Recapitulating: There are not unique answers, neither individual nor disciplinarian, to environmental problems. We must make proposals to society legitimized by a critical, multi-disciplinarian, multi-institutional, scientifically robust and socially highly compromised collectivity. It is necessary to join efforts with international organizations with similar aims and objectives.

INES-UCCS: next step? Motivation to a different research and methodology approaches Magazines. Publications for multidisciplinary research. Co- production of educational video materials… Grant holders, Postgraduates, Researchers exchange Regional and International Meetings