What future for socio-ecological transformation? Solutions, false solutions, and alternatives

The MAK'IT Institute for Advanced Studies is pleased to invite you to a seminar organized by Gabriela Merlinsky, currently a researcher at MAK'IT and professor of environmental sociology at the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Buenos Aires.

About this conference

Over the past decade, debates on socio-ecological transformation have attracted growing interest due to the collapse of agreements that enabled global governance, the increasing overlap of social, political, health, geopolitical, economic, and ecological crises, and the emergence of Green New Deal (GND) proposals.

The great debate of our time concerns the significance of the socio-ecological crisis and how to address it. The prevailing opinion focuses on ensuring that certain countries or regions have access to raw materials. In this context, decarbonizing the economy implies a decoupling of economic growth, resource use, and its environmental impact. However, it is far from clear how the necessary absolute reduction could be achieved within the paradigm of economic growth.

Three key points need to be clarified. First, it is essential to challenge the reductionist view that socio-ecological transformation is exclusively linked to the debate on energy transition. Second, it is essential to question how energy transition is being implemented and who will bear the costs. In the current context of global crisis, it is crucial not to limit ourselves to the authoritarian solutions that are being proposed. It is imperative to explore alternatives to ensure effective and sustainable management of the situation.

The aim of this seminar is to bring together existing research in Latin America and Europe in order to explore scenarios for socio-ecological transformation that take into account complex social and political implications. As part of our approach, we will conduct a joint review of the social, economic, and cultural changes required to achieve a just and pluralistic society.