Paul Moseley
— Ethnoecologist —
Ethnoecology studies the dynamic relationships between people and their natural environments.
What is the problem?
Numerous sustainability initiatives rely heavily on technological or infrastructure solutions to innovate towards reducing our environmental impact. However, despite decades of recognition and investment, climate and biodiversity continue to be negatively impacted upon. Cultural perspectives shape how communities view and interact with the environment. If policies disregard these inherent beliefs and relationships, they risk being superficial fixes.
What is Ethnoecology?
Long-term sustainability requires that we balance the development of new technology with understanding psychological and cultural drivers and their relationship to the natural world. Without addressing how communities fundamentally frame the world, policies risk overlooking the profound impact of beliefs, values, ontologies and traditions on sustainable practices. A more promising approach to sustainability necessitates including advancements in understanding the diverse ways people sense the world for enduring, impactful change.
Share the Journey
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Discover the field.
Learn about ethnoecology, its approach and how it uncovers crucial aspects that influence how communities perceive and value the natural world.
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Access the insights.
Understand the depth and breadth of valuable ethnoecological research. Explore how it studies culture and its relationship to sustainability.
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Begin your practice.
Learn how to use ethnoecology within your practice, ranging from the role of crafts, identity, placemaking, movement and kinship.
