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Thinking Like a Mountain: Exploring the Potential of Relational Approaches for Transformative Nature Conservation

Author

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  • J. Marc Foggin

    (Institute of Asian Research, School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada
    Plateau Perspectives, Surrey, BC V4A 4S2, Canada)

  • Daniele Brombal

    (Department of Asian and North African Studies, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Dorsoduro 3246, 30123 Venice, Italy)

  • Ali Razmkhah

    (Department of Asian and North African Studies, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Dorsoduro 3246, 30123 Venice, Italy
    ICCA Consortium, 1272 Genolier, Switzerland)

Abstract

Building on a review of current mainstream paradigms of nature conservation, the essence of transformations necessary for effective and lasting change are presented—namely, convivial solutions (or ‘living with others’), in which relationality and an appreciation of our interdependencies are central, in contrast to life-diminishing models of individualism and materialism/secularism. We offer several areas for improvement centred on regenerative solutions, moving beyond conventional environmental protection or biophysical restoration and focusing instead on critical multidimensional relationships—amongst people and between people and the rest of nature. We focus, in particular, on the potential of people’s values and worldviews to inform morality (guiding principles and/or beliefs about right and wrong) and ethics (societal rules defining acceptable behaviour), which alone can nurture the just transformations needed for nature conservation and sustainability at all scales. Finally, we systematize the potential of regenerative solutions against a backdrop of relational approaches in sustainability sciences. In so doing, we contribute to current endeavours of the conservation community for more inclusive conservation, expanding beyond economic valuations of nature and protected areas to include more holistic models of governance that are premised on relationally-oriented value systems.

Suggested Citation

  • J. Marc Foggin & Daniele Brombal & Ali Razmkhah, 2021. "Thinking Like a Mountain: Exploring the Potential of Relational Approaches for Transformative Nature Conservation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-18, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:22:p:12884-:d:684426
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lara Domínguez & Colin Luoma, 2020. "Decolonising Conservation Policy: How Colonial Land and Conservation Ideologies Persist and Perpetuate Indigenous Injustices at the Expense of the Environment," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(3), pages 1-22, February.
    2. Tauli-Corpuz, Vicky & Alcorn, Janis & Molnar, Augusta & Healy, Christina & Barrow, Edmund, 2020. "Cornered by PAs: Adopting rights-based approaches to enable cost-effective conservation and climate action," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
    3. Unai Pascual & William M. Adams & Sandra Díaz & Sharachchandra Lele & Georgina M. Mace & Esther Turnhout, 2021. "Biodiversity and the challenge of pluralism," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 4(7), pages 567-572, July.
    4. Elinor Ostrom, 2016. "Nested Externalities and Polycentric Institutions: Must We Wait for Global Solutions to Climate Change Before Taking Actions at Other Scales?," Studies in Economic Theory, in: Graciela Chichilnisky & Armon Rezai (ed.), The Economics of the Global Environment, pages 259-276, Springer.
    5. Daniele Brombal, 2020. "Is fighting with data enough? Prospects for transformative citizen science in the Chinese Anthropocene," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 63(1), pages 32-48, January.
    6. Nathan J. Bennett & Jessica Blythe & Andrés M. Cisneros-Montemayor & Gerald G. Singh & U. Rashid Sumaila, 2019. "Just Transformations to Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(14), pages 1-18, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Peter Jacobs & Clinton Carbutt & Erik A. Beever & J. Marc Foggin & Madeline Martin & Shane Orchard & Roger Sayre, 2023. "A Decision-Support Tool to Augment Global Mountain Protection and Conservation, including a Case Study from Western Himalaya," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-21, June.
    2. Gunton, Richard M. & Hejnowicz, Adam P. & Basden, Andrew & van Asperen, Eline N. & Christie, Ian & Hanson, David R. & Hartley, Sue E., 2022. "Valuing beyond economics: A pluralistic evaluation framework for participatory policymaking," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).

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