Contribution short abstract:

Humanity has lived for a long time relaying local ecological knowledge (LEK); today's rigid blanket regulations are very recent. We need the courage and trust in local inhabitants to be adaptable and flexible again through the LEK to overcome current and future crises.

Contribution long abstract:

Globalization has created unprecedented pressure to consume even more environmental resources. Because the changes were so fast and big, restrictions were first imposed locally, within the country, and later also globally. Regardless of restrictions, environmental conditions are getting progressively worse and species are disappearing. So, are these strict uniform regulations still the solution?

Uniform regulations do not have specific local characteristics; they apply, for example, in the same way throughout the country. Laws do not take into account regional specificities. For instance, in Estonia, some protected plant species are pretty common in Western Estonia, which are absent or very few in other parts of Estonia. Upon discovering some protected birds, strict conservation rules are immediately established based on existing knowledge of biology, without considering that birds also adapt and find new habitats near people.

However, it is instinctive for a person who lives with the rhythm of nature to keep plants, birds and wild animals. This wealth of species would not have been preserved to this day if people had not taken care of the species next to us in the past. Therefore, this local ecological knowledge (LEK) has been with us all along and has helped us. To avoid over-regulation in nature conservation today, it is rather necessary to introduce flexibility, adaptability and adaptability offered by LEK into nature conservation.

Contribution short abstract:

The being in nature loads us with emotions and feelings. Changes in the environment lead to the loss of the familiar surroundings, and as a result, people's feelings and emotions towards their surroundings also change. If the root causes are known, it is better to address them as well.

Contribution long abstract:

We live in an era where environmental changes are already noticeable within one human generation - about 30 years. If we consider that today's elderly may live up to 100 years, there are people around us who remember the time up to three human generations ago. Thus, we can conditionally see in the society three groups based on the time of their active youth: the youngest remember the 1990s; the middle-aged in the 1960s and the oldest in the 1930s.

Our input is based on long-term ethnobotanical and ethnoecological fieldwork. People notice both global and local changes and if asked for solutions, both general and specific recommendations are given. However, among the most common answers given to us on why environmental changes take place, all the most noticed changes are inter-generational. Yet, each of those generation has its own memories of the environment, and the emotions received from the natural environment of childhood accompany them throughout their lives. The intergenerational differences come in exactly on the level of emotions and feelings which the environment in which they grew up provoked in them. This emotional attraction may affect how different generations perceive environmental crises.

Based on our field experience we can suggest that some local (environmental) changes could be directed and softened if the decision-makers communicated better with the residents who are affected by these decisions. For that there is a need to improve communication between different generations, because they perceive the same environment with different emotionality.

Contribution short abstract:

In Zimbabwe, communication with animals is considered an exclusive skill, but a study of human-animal relations during the liberation war reveals a multitude of human-animal relations that went beyond simple verbal communication, and the scale of these relationships only became apparent during war.

Contribution long abstract:

Zimbabwe's war period is frequently described using animal symbology. One of Zimbabwe's professional football teams was even named after chapungu (bateleur eagle), one of the primary animals featured in war stories. In the over one hundred interviews with guerrilla collaborators I collected in rural Southcentral Zimbabwe, animal communication and collaboration was more than symbolic. Chapungu, according to stories, led them to safety on many occasions during the war, but so did baboons, lions, smaller birds, and a variety of small mammals. Dangerous animals like snakes became friends, according to their stories. Some of these stories could be heard outside of the war, but only by "chosen" people: spirit mediums, rain messengers, and chiefly individuals. During the liberation war, heightened communication with animals was reported by many more Zimbabweans. During peace, animal communication was learned. For example, the particularly noise of baboons on the nearby peak could help people understand what was happening beyond that peak. Each animal had their own vocal way of demonstrating fear, joy, or other emotions, and these vocalizations could be learned to read the landscape, like sonar of the forest. These learned animal communications were utilized by rural Zimbabweans during the war to protect and guide guerrillas and their collaborators, but the war brought an extra layer of communication mediated by ancestors, or vadzimu venyika (ancestors of the landscape). After the war ended in 1980, people said, chapungu left - its job was finished, leading to many questions about the nature of human-animal relations.

Contribution short abstract:

I analyze the relationship between conflicts for land and water and agroecological practices to acheive autonomous food systems in rural western Sicily and Dourados Bororo reservation.

Contribution long abstract:

I analyze the relationship between conflicts for land and water and agroecological practices to acheive autonomous food systems in rural western Sicily and Dourados Bororo reservation.

The aim of the analysis is to identify structural constraints and barriers to achieve an emancipatory agroecological transition for small holder farmers in western Sicily and Guaranì indigenous community in Bororo reservation. The latters are traced back both in local socio-environmental vulnerabilities exacerbated by ongoing climate change and in the power relations intertwined with food production in its industrialized, extractive configuration.

The ultimate objective is to define possibile scenarios for food sovernity in the territories and communities considered in the analysis.

Contribution short abstract:

The human economic lust is the major factor has been a reason for obstructing the physiography caused by the natural forces is already established yet by constructing heavy infra structures may cause a major challenge for the survival of the planet which would have catastrophic future.

Contribution long abstract:

The environmental history revealed that geography has changed the natural forces are players of the changes. The changes in landscape, are generally shaped by huge water bodies, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, capable and changing the geographical features. But the studies remained human centric calling these phenomenon natural calamities. And human being responded and has become strong interventionists due to technologically advancement. In present era the human lust to protect it from impacts of the natural forces like flood, Tsunami, Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF), droughts and intervene to control and mitigate the effects yet study of environmental history revealed that these natural calamities are changing actors are not actually harmless to any human. The human settlements got disrupt just because of being located where the physiography is really fragile like in high mountain region where glaciers are located or the near the banks of river, living close to coastal regions. The core argument of this discussion is that human settlements have obstructed the ongoing physiographic changes for economic end that can hamper ecology as the changes in geography are the part of nature and every geographic feature has its own importance. In the period of climate crisis it is critical to save the planet rather building heavy infrastructural crafts to protect the human being we should prevent the human settlements and allow natural forces like rivers, GLOF to play its role in the shaping the geography for the future of planet as the environmental history has really established this fact strongly.

Contribution short abstract:

SOUNDING THE LIMESTONE EXPLORATION: ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND THE HEALTH IMPLICATIONS ON THE RESIDENTS OF EWEKORO, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Contribution long abstract:

My name is Oyinlola Esther OLADIIPO, I hold a B.Arts Honours degree in Music from

the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Currently, my research revolves around the topic mentioned above. In essence, I am utilizing music as a powerful medium to shed light on the

alarming environmental pollution caused by limestone exploration in the Ewekoro

region. The significance of my research lies in its ability to transcend traditional boundaries

and connect with diverse audiences. By using music as a conduit, I aim to evoke a

sensory experience, making the environmental issues in Ewekoro palpable to a broader

audience. Through sound and art, my research seeks to provoke not only an intellectual

understanding but also an emotional response to the environmental challenges faced

by urban communities. In the context of the "Melting Metropolis" Panel+Workshop, my research aligns

seamlessly with the theme of exploring everyday experiences of urban heat and its

historical impact on urban communities. It offers a unique perspective on how creative

methods, like music and art, can be employed to convey the climate-related issues that

have plagued cities for centuries. My work resonates with the broader discussions on

urban environmental history and the urgent need to address climate breakdown.

I am eager to contribute to this interdisciplinary dialogue and I believe that my

research can enrich the conference by providing a fresh and engaging perspective on

urban climate change. Thank you for considering my participation in this inspiring event.

Contribution short abstract:

Two great challenges face humanity in the 21st century: solving an escalating environmental crisis, while also safeguarding and further improving human living conditions. I present an ecosemiotic framework for the study of societal transformations, enveloping socio-ecological developments.

Contribution long abstract:

My contribution will be based on my published article "Anticipating the societal transformation required to solve the environmental crisis in the 21st century" (see https://ojs.utlib.ee/index.php/sss/article/view/SSS.2021.49.1-2.02). Here I present a ecosemiotic perspective on socio-ecological developments historically and with a view to the future. Two great challenges face humanity in the 21st century: solving an escalating environmental crisis, while also safeguarding and further improving human living conditions. An ecosemiotic framework for the study of societal transformations is presented and political and other normative aspects of what I call transformative semiotics are discussed. This envelops socio-cultural and socio-ecological developments framed in terms of umwelt theory and Deep Ecology. In the long run, developments in human ecology as reflected in our changing relations to non-humans are expressed in the umwelt trajectory of humankind. The question of how the environmental crisis can best be solved is therefore tantamount to the question about what direction the human umwelt trajectory should take in this century. I outline different plausible umwelt scenarios for human ecology in the 21st century, focused on business-as-usual, ecomodernist and Deep Ecology scenarios. In a concluding discussion on technology and sustainability, the scenario development eventually includes a distinction between flexible and inflexible development paths.

Contribution short abstract:

Coastal wetlands on the edge of the megacity represent a key area in terms of the resilient adaptation strategy. From a historical perspective, this study revealed land use changes and driving factors in association with wetlands, with a special reference to eastern Chongming Island, Shanghai City.

Contribution long abstract:

Coastal urban areas are faced with risks induced by global warming and sea level rise,which puts pressure on regional sustainable development. Coastal wetlands on the edge of the megacity represent a vulnerable ecosystem and a key area in terms of the resilient adaptation strategy. However, the interrelationship between the development of these wetlands and the megacity’s adaptation practice has not been sufficiently analyzed. From a historical perspective, we attempt in this study to reveal long-term land use stages and driving factors in association with urban marginal wetlands, with a special reference to eastern Chongming Island, Shanghai. On such a basis, the future adaptation strategy of the megacity is evaluated. The analytical results show that this island has witnessed three periods of time for wetland utilization: traditional land use for salt production, fishery and agriculture before 1950s, industrialization with rapid reclamation in the middle and late 20th century, and the land use pattern orientated toward wetland ecosystem protection after the beginning of the 21st century. The driving forces include sediment budget on the coast, wetland morphodynamic processes, sea level rise, population growth, and resource management policy changes. Furthermore, facing future climate change, there are different options of adaptation. It may not be suitable for coastal cities with a large population to take the retreat option. It will be suitable for coastal communities to adhere to the location, if solutions to the problems of flooding risk, coastal erosion, and the maintenance of coastal facilities can be found.

Contribution short abstract:

This paper demonstrates the importance of conducting long-term and adaptation approaches for the agricultural sectors in Taiwan and China when suffering from the adverse weather by employing the case study of the eruption of Mount Tambora from 1815 to 1817.

Contribution long abstract:

This paper investigates the historical backgrounds of the agricultural productions in Taiwan and China when encountering the adverse weather pattern caused by the eruption of Mount Tambora from 1815 to 1817. Primary sources and second-hand data demonstrate details.

Although suffering from unprecedented snow and frost disasters, Taiwan’s rice harvest was growing positively. The reasons could contribute to the pre-existing long-term approaches. First, the immigrants from mainland China became labor forces because of the social and political instabilities from the 15th to the 19th centuries. Afterward, they occupied the lands and focused on rice production. Second, those immigrants also introduced various rice forms and advanced growing methods, increasing the efficiency of rice production. The above factors became indispensable in sustaining rice growth when unfavorable weather happened from 1815 to 1816.

In contrast to Taiwan’s case study, several provinces in China encountered low temperatures during the same period because of the Mount Tambora eruption. Nevertheless, neither citizens nor authorities tried to enforce related adaptation methods to ensure rice production growth. Moreover, no significant pre-existing methods in the agricultural sector reacted to this event. Afterward, the area experienced severe harvest failure, and famine prevailed among the residents. Lastly, this condition caused a significant decline in labor participation in agricultural production.

The conclusion suggests that the proper adaptation and long-term approaches were indispensable for countries’ agricultural sectors when facing disadvantageous climatic shocks. In contrast, unfavorable consequence, such as harvest failure, could become enormous.

Contribution short abstract:

During the session the author will reflect on citizen science based on the discussions from several recent workshops e.g. Cost Action (CA18201) ConservePlants ''Experience sharing on BioBlitz and other forms of citizen science'' and conference events e.g. ''Interloc Transdisciplinary Learning''.

Contribution long abstract:

The author would like to contribute to the session by sharing insights from recent events where citizen science has been brought as a contributing element when it comes to human-nature intersection including learning. As for example, during the Cost Action (CA18201) ConservePlants organized workshop, namely, ''Experience sharing on BioBlitz and other forms of citizen science'' - the speakers as well as participants shared diverse opportunities as well as barriers for citizen science. Meanwhile - citizen science and other forms of public engagement were also discussed in the recent book launch, namely, ''Handbook Transdisciplinary Learning''.

Contribution short abstract:

In the Juan Fernández archipelago, the human imprint emerged late. These places, transitioning from the Holocene to the Anthropocene, act as environmental history labs. The debate focuses on resilience versus degradation and the quest for sustainability in a globalised world.

Contribution long abstract:

In the Juan Fernández archipelago, along with other remote regions like oceanic islands and caves, the human imprint was belatedly felt. These unique landscapes, bridging the Holocene to the Anthropocene, offer invaluable insights as natural laboratories for studying environmental history. Their late interaction with humans prompts significant inquiries about our ecological footprint: Why do certain regions manifest pronounced resilience, while others succumb to swift degradation?

The book "Feral Biologies" underscores the culmination of human diaspora, suggesting that the ever-reducing natural sanctuaries for biodiversity necessitate a re-evaluation of our sustainability practices. As the last frontiers of human exploration and settlement, these territories confront us with the imperatives of ecological stewardship in a rapidly globalising world.

These areas not only prompt reflections on the past but also challenge present-day methodologies and strategies. How we interact, manage, and coexist with these ecosystems could provide lessons for broader applications, underscoring the significance of interdisciplinary collaborations. As history and science converge in these discussions, the shared goal remains clear: to establish a sustainable coexistence paradigm in an increasingly interconnected world.