Cultivating sustainable transformation.
Amidst the busy life of a researcher exploring the pressing questions of sustainable transformation, my mind often wanders to a quieter, more deliberate world: the art of bonsai. For those unfamiliar, bonsai is the practice of cultivating trees in containers, shaping them through meticulous techniques to mimic the beauty of their full-sized counterparts in nature.
At first glance, it might seem a world away from research papers and policy recommendations. Yet, the more I delve into the intricate care of these tiny trees, the more meaningful connections I discover to my work on sustainable transformation and the pursuit of a good life.
As a futurist researching cultural sustainability transformation, understanding the complex nature and role of human action becomes central to the future of our planets well-being. My research delves into how we can cultivate a 'good life' that actively seeks to minimise our ecological footprint. While the concept of a good life has a rich history, contemplated by philosophers and scholars for centuries, it is receiving renewed attention. In a world facing significant challenges of inequality and ecology, pursuing a good life within planetary boundaries presents a powerful alternative to our current growth oriented and consumption driven economic and belief systems.
While humanity has made remarkable strides in energy efficiency and renewable technologies, these advancements alone are insufficient for achieving true sustainability transformation. Alongside technological innovation, we need social systems that actively nurture and enable societal flourishing. Understanding the 'good life' and its potential contribution to this transformation isn't a solution by itself, but rather a crucial piece of a larger puzzle. It informs the co-creation of long-term visions and policies that enable society to pursue a fulfilling existence within ecological limits. Recognising that social change unfolds in multiple, often simultaneous, directions necessitates inclusive participation, observation, and a capacity to adapt to evolving conditions.
While the philosophical question of what constitutes a good life is a deep and ongoing, my research focuses on its practical implications for cultural sustainability transformation. Throughout my research, I aim to understand not only the multifaceted nature of a good life but also the responsibilities of decision-makers in enabling societal and individual flourishing. The first examines systems of governance, encompassing the policies and instruments intended to steer society towards sustainability. The second delves into the societal perspective of a good life, which I will explore through participatory futures workshops. These workshops will gather participants' perceptions of what it means to live well within ecological boundaries. The primary goal of analysing these workshop outcomes is to identify shared themes, fundamental needs, and the collective willingness to embrace change, ultimately informing the design of more effective sustainability policies.
Just as a bonsai artist patiently guides the growth of their tree over years, even decades, sustainable transformation requires long-term vision and a willingness to nurture change gradually. It demands careful observation, adaptation to evolving conditions (much like a tree responding to its environment), and a constant striving for balance.
The harmonious blend of science and art resonates deeply with the challenges and opportunities of sustainable transformation. We need scientific understanding of the ecological limits and the urgency of change. But to truly create a sustainable and desirable future, we also need creativity, vision and understanding to envision and build a good life within those limitations.
Perhaps, in the quiet contemplation of a tiny tree, we can find inspiration for the larger task at hand, cultivating a sustainable and flourishing future, one carefully shaped action at a time.
Tarian Jenkins
The writer is a Doctoral Researcher at the Finland Futures Research Centre (FFRC), University of Turku and a member of the Sustainability Transformations Doctoral Education Pilot (SusTra) researching cultural sustainability transformation, futures of sufficiency and the good life. When not immersed in futures studies, enjoys the contemplative art of bonsai, finding parallels between its long-term nurturing and the gradual processes of societal change.
References:
Halonen, T., Korhonen-Kurki, K., Pietikäinen, J., Niemelä, J., Lintuvaara, S., & Gaudeamus oy, kustantaja. (2024). The avenues to sustainability : key lessons from sustainability science. Gaudeamus Oy.
Fuchs, D. A., Di Giulio, A., Gumbert, T., Sahakian, M., Maniates, M., Graf, A., & Lorek, S. (2021). Consumption corridors : living a good life within sustainable limits (First Edition.). Routledge.
Pathania, S., Dhiman, S. R., Beese, S., & Kumar, A. BONSAI: THE ART OF MINIATURIZATION. SYSTEMS IN AGRI-HORTI.
