24.1.2 The Emerging Socioecological Narrative
In 1998, Jane Lubchenco published a seminal paper entitled Entering the Century of
the Environment: A New Social Contract for Science. Among other inspiring
thoughts, she wrote: “The false assertion that society must choose between the
economy and the environment is often made. In reality, this ‘jobs versus the
environment’ choice is a false dichotomy: the real choice is between short-term
gain and long-term, sustained prosperity. . . . A sustainable biosphere is one that is
ecologically sound, economically feasible, and socially just. . . . We can no longer
afford to have the environment be accorded marginal status on our agendas. The
environment is not a marginal issue, it is the issue of the future, and the future is here
now” (Lubchenco 1998).
She concluded that the interfaces between the environment, human health, the
economy and social justice are ripe for developing and entraining into the policy
arena. In fact, the awareness of humanity about the depletion of natural resources and
the compromised sustainability of the lifestyle of western societies have highlighted
the relevance of environment science, and the society is demanding more proactive
policies to preserve our environment while maintaining sustainable and equitable
growth.
Among the intellectual and practical challenges to be achieved at the light of the
UN SDG and the 2030 Agenda, we can mention the alleviation of pollution of
regional seas and oceans, the rational exploitation of marine resources, the mitigation of global warming and climate alterations, the global cycle of carbon, or the
maintenance of biodiversity. Given the complexity and magnitude of these challenges, the demand for marine environmental data from the scientific community
and from society is growing, and therefore, oceanography is a science that increasingly attracts the attention of the scientific community and citizens. And, of course,
marine science, observation, and data are also fundamental to underpin and deliver
scientific advice to the decision-makers and managers, who must do effective the
sustainability of the natural and social systems.
In order to achieve a scientifically engaged society, it will be necessary to develop
a culture where science is recognized as relevant to everyday life (Pielke 2007). The
public must know that science theory is based in facts and associated with objective
realities. Also public awareness on the consequences of environmental risks might
help to increase pressure on larger organizations to address impacts at larger scales
(e.g., to achieve commitments to mitigate risks at the country or international level).
On the other side, marine scientists often find themselves in the position of having
relevant information available which they need to share with others outside of the
scientific community. Such information should be put into use when designing local
and national polices on adaptation and mitigation and when developing strategies to
achieve the UN SDGs.
The Alboran Sea marine scientific community must be prepared to use the policy
opportunities as a vehicle to reinforce and add value to marine scientific research and
to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and technology to third parties (this is a key to
24 Sustainable Development and Blue Growth in the Alboran Sea: Enabling Ocean. . .
801
In 1998, Jane Lubchenco published a seminal paper entitled Entering the Century of
the Environment: A New Social Contract for Science. Among other inspiring
thoughts, she wrote: “The false assertion that society must choose between the
economy and the environment is often made. In reality, this ‘jobs versus the
environment’ choice is a false dichotomy: the real choice is between short-term
gain and long-term, sustained prosperity. . . . A sustainable biosphere is one that is
ecologically sound, economically feasible, and socially just. . . . We can no longer
afford to have the environment be accorded marginal status on our agendas. The
environment is not a marginal issue, it is the issue of the future, and the future is here
now” (Lubchenco 1998).
She concluded that the interfaces between the environment, human health, the
economy and social justice are ripe for developing and entraining into the policy
arena. In fact, the awareness of humanity about the depletion of natural resources and
the compromised sustainability of the lifestyle of western societies have highlighted
the relevance of environment science, and the society is demanding more proactive
policies to preserve our environment while maintaining sustainable and equitable
growth.
Among the intellectual and practical challenges to be achieved at the light of the
UN SDG and the 2030 Agenda, we can mention the alleviation of pollution of
regional seas and oceans, the rational exploitation of marine resources, the mitigation of global warming and climate alterations, the global cycle of carbon, or the
maintenance of biodiversity. Given the complexity and magnitude of these challenges, the demand for marine environmental data from the scientific community
and from society is growing, and therefore, oceanography is a science that increasingly attracts the attention of the scientific community and citizens. And, of course,
marine science, observation, and data are also fundamental to underpin and deliver
scientific advice to the decision-makers and managers, who must do effective the
sustainability of the natural and social systems.
In order to achieve a scientifically engaged society, it will be necessary to develop
a culture where science is recognized as relevant to everyday life (Pielke 2007). The
public must know that science theory is based in facts and associated with objective
realities. Also public awareness on the consequences of environmental risks might
help to increase pressure on larger organizations to address impacts at larger scales
(e.g., to achieve commitments to mitigate risks at the country or international level).
On the other side, marine scientists often find themselves in the position of having
relevant information available which they need to share with others outside of the
scientific community. Such information should be put into use when designing local
and national polices on adaptation and mitigation and when developing strategies to
achieve the UN SDGs.
The Alboran Sea marine scientific community must be prepared to use the policy
opportunities as a vehicle to reinforce and add value to marine scientific research and
to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and technology to third parties (this is a key to
24 Sustainable Development and Blue Growth in the Alboran Sea: Enabling Ocean. . .
801