Annual Report 2019/2020 Annual Report 1 July 2019 – 30 June 2020
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The Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics Annual report 2019/2020 Annual report 1 July 2019 – 30 June 2020 The Beijer institute of Ecological Economics is an international research institute under the auspices of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Since 1991, the Beijer Institute has been an institute of ecological economics. © The Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics 2020 The major objectives of the Beijer Institute are Editor Agneta Sundin to carry out research and stimulate scientific Design, illustration and production Ruby Creative Sthlm cooperation to promote a deeper understanding Cover illustration Hannes Högberg of the interplay between ecological systems Contributing authors and social and economic development. Garry Best, Stephen Carpenter, Johan Colding, Anne-Sophie Crépin, Carl Folke, Victor Galaz, Johan Gars, Therese Lindahl, Daniel Ospina, Caroline Schill, Agneta Sundin, Max Troell. The Beijer Institute of Proof reading Dr Mary McAfee Ecological Economics Paper Munken Polar Contact P.O. Box 50005, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden +46 8 673 95 00 [email protected] | www.beijer.kva.se Director’s column 4 In memoriam Karl-Göran Mäler 1939–2020 6 C.S. Buzz Holling 1930–2019 8 Research programmes Aquaculture and sustainable seafood 10 Behaviour, economics and nature 12 Governance, technology and complexity 14 Urban social-ecological systems 16 Topics Biosphere economics 18 Anthropocene – the age of mankind 19 The economics of planetary boundaries 20 Selected publications Book: Global challenges, governance and complexity 22 A more dynamic understandning of human behaviour 23 Fuel for economic growth 24 Algorithms and the shift in modern science 25 A green pathway out of crisis? 26 The Askö meetings 28 The Beijer Young Scholars 30 Training for transformational leadership 32 Science in society 33 Collaborations 39 Reflections of a Beijer Fellow 42 Appendix Scientific advisory board 43 Staff members 43 Affiliated researchers 43 Staff news 43 Beijer Fellow prizes, honours and awards 44 Visiting researchers 44 Beijer Fellows 44 Administration 45 Funding 45 Teaching and training 45 Seminar and workshop series 46 Staff members’ publications and activities 46 Publications 57 the National Academy of Sciences, European Institute. We will sincerely miss and always Director’s column Review of Agricultural Economics, Science Ad- remember Karl-Göran and his visions, curios- vances, Nature Sustainability, Nature Ecology ity and leadership and Buzz’s deep friendship & Evolution, Global Environmental Change and amazing novel thinking and systems and Environmental Research Letters. understanding. They will always re- main in the hearts and minds of The world is in the midst of the Covid-19 are intertwined in social-ecological systems, It is rewarding to note that we all at the Beijer Institute! pandemic, an extreme event rapidly spreading now coevolving and shaping the operation are highly in demand, not across societies and nations. The pandemic of the planet as a whole. Insights have been only in science but also by The year has been unusual has exposed fragility in several dimensions of gained on the complex dynamic behaviour society in its diverse di- in other respects. In late the tightly coupled and interconnected glo- of ecological and economic interactions, in- mensions. At the exciting autumn, we moved into balised world. At the same time, the climate cluding non-linear change, tipping points Svenskt Tenn exhibition the Academy Villa, due to change challenge is becoming real and urgent. and regime shifts. Finally, we have long been ‘Welcome to the Biosphere’, the much needed and very Our future on our planet will be strongly in- investigating how slower and deeper chang- artists interpreted the find- welcome renovation of the fluenced by our ability to keep global warming ings of several of our recent Academy main building. This below 2°C and foster the resilience of the liv- publications, which was very move has been pleasant in ing biosphere. “These are inspiring! During the year, we ac- many respects. It brought Beijer tively interacted with practice, policy and GEDB staff even closer and in- These are turbulent times, where science is and business in various ways, as presented in spired to new research constellations and the needed more than ever. Young people are de- turbulent times, more detail in this report. premises have increased the feeling of being manding that we listen to scientists! Science at home. The Villa is particularly well suited provides informed consensus on the facts and where science is The collaboration with internationally lead- for social activities and we have taken the trade-offs in times of misinformation and po- ing researchers and institutions and the close opportunity to organise events to increase lemics. The planetary challenges that confront interactions with the Global Economic Dy- cohesion in the group and stimulate creativity humanity need governance that mobilises the needed more than namics and the Biosphere (GEDB) Academy and innovation. best that science has to offer, with shared vi- Programme and Stockholm Resilience Cen- sions for sustainable futures. Political will and ever. Young people tre make our research cluster a very special Then the Covid-19 close-down hit us and competence are required to implement choic- node in the world. Being part of the Royal shifted our activities to Zoom meetings and es that will sustain humanity and the rest of Swedish Academy of Sciences is essential, working from home. Although we miss the the living world for long into the future. are demanding and its professional and friendly support is daily interactions, overall the changes have most appreciated. worked quite well. Later, when the pandemic It is in this context that the Beijer Institute op- that we listen has faded and the renovations to the Academy erates. Our interdisciplinary work, often curios- There are many to thank for a Beijer Institute main building are completed, we will move ity driven, aims at generating evidence-based to scientists!” in good shape. First and foremost, and very back and start to use those premises again. It understanding as a foundation for actions sadly, two giants of our legacy have passed will be most exciting, with the upgrading of towards sustainability. Much of the science away: Karl-Göran Mäler, the father of environ- the Beijer Hall and the opportunities it will that we perform is at the interface of ecolo- es interplay with abrupt and rapid changes, mental economics and the founding director provide for new types and forms of meetings, gy and economics and related disciplines. It is how seemingly unrelated shocks influence of the Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics, thanks to generous funding from the Beijer now proving to be highly relevant for dealing economic performance, societal development at the age of 81 years, and CS ‘Buzz’ Holling, Foundation, which has supported us over dec- with current issues and uncertainties, extreme and sustainability, and what this means for re- the father of resilience thinking, at the age of ades with core funding. We are most grateful events, tensions and turmoil, and for helping silient futures. 88 years. Karl-Göran’s deep insights and won- for the continuous support of the Beijer Foun- guide societies towards sustainable futures. derful personality shaped the Beijer Institute dation, which makes it possible to operate, In addition to ongoing work that the Covid-19 and its activities. Buzz’s contributions to the discover, shape and influence. For example, we have shown that all econo- pandemic has triggered, in the past year we Beijer Institute Board and Beijer research pro- mies, societies and civilisations are embedded have published new findings on these issues grammes brought complex systems and re- in the biosphere, and that people and nature in leading journals like Nature, Proceedings of silience thinking to the forefront at the Beijer Carl Folke Director of the Beijer Institute Stockholm, July 2020 4 The Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics Director’s column Director’s column Annual report 19/20 5 In memoriam the notion of inclusive wealth. However, these were just emerged. He did so in a relaxed way, often joking, but also a few topics among the wide set of issues with which generously sharing his huge experience and knowledge Karl-Göran Mäler he engaged. of the field and methods.” Karl-Göran had a brilliant mind and excelled in all the Christina Leijonhufvud, office manager at the Beijer essential qualities of a good researcher. He was extreme- Institute, organised the teaching workshops and courses ly curious, which was a great advantage when starting and often travelled with Karl-Göran: 1939–2020 discussions with the natural scientists in the early days “Karl-Göran was very much appreciated among the of the Beijer Institute. He was rigorous and tenacious and participants with his straightforwardness, patience and would not rest until issues were properly solved. support. He showed such interest in people and ideas Karl-Göran's huge experience and knowledge was and loved to discuss things from different angles. He highly valued, which is reflected by his legacy in shap- shared his wisdom and encouraged everyone to think, ing the field of environmental economics, his many roles dig deeper and never give up. His broad and deep knowl- Professor emeritus Karl-Göran Mäler passed away The networks and the journal have had a great impact within the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and, not edge about the most diverse matters was impressive and on 20 May 2020, at the age of 81. He was one of the on research and policy in developing countries and have least, in his role as advisor to policy makers, nationally his love for nature was remarkable. He was an enjoyer of founders and the first director of the Beijer Institute of been very important to many researchers in the network and internationally.