KEYWORDS: CULTURAL CHANGE • ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE •  CULTURE AS GRADIENT

This essay adresses how the global culture sector might have impacts on global system changes, which again may have positive effects on the environment. The author will argue that tolerance and inclusiveness, and fairness, acceptance and equality, as well as diversity, will help save our planet. And, it is one of the core tasks of culture, the author utterly claims, to enhance these values and norms, that can make favourable system changes, for humanity and for the planet, in one. 

Work in progress...

ABSTRACT

The hypothesis of this essay is quite simple, clear and cut to the core: (1) our global culture is powerful and influences such a wide range of human beings in our global society. (2) if they whom are the core voices of our culture, choose to become more environmentally progressive, proactive, and change their pedagogical role and communicative capacity, they might cause (3) a system change. When the right message is brought forward; such as a raised awareness on environmental matters, and if they put this urgent message into actions, it will have a positive effect on (4) the environment, too. In order to make this four step change, culture needs to take on the fight for (5) equality and fairness, tolerance, diversity and acceptance, so that marginalized voices will be included in the cultural discourse too, and altogether make our culture more diverse. Because, scientific findings shows that innovation and radical change, thrive in diverse environments (Nelson 2013). To focus on cultural diversity, is therefore beneficial for environmental system changes too. The title; Culture as Gradient, on an abstract and metaphorical level, adresses the potential change from one shade of colour to another, or one system to another. It represents the process of potential system changes and positive environmental effects, suggested by the core hypothesis. In order to change from one system to another, the author suggests that cultural values and norms, that particularly favours radical system changes must be promoted culturally. These normes, values and qualities, such as as diversity, fairness, tolerance, equality and acceptance, must be thoroughly emphasized. To make the system change final, key actors have to collaborate with marginalized voices, within the domain of culture, in order to change and accelerate the shading, deep transition and change, from one paradigm to another. To make system changes towards an environmentally friendly system at our planet is, thereby, to listen to the most progressive, experimental and radical voices of our culture: they whom represents the future frontiers of diversity in our culture, tied to proactive mindsets and the currents of our Zeitgeist.  The key words in this abstract is therefore, diversity, global collaboration, and to take on the challange of system changes. However, culture; in all its facetted colours is inherently socially connected, diverse and changable: it is gradient.

THEORY

What is Culture?

What is of Diversity?

What does it Mean to be Socially Connected?

How can Cultural Diversity and Collaboration Promote Innovations and Environmental Change?

DISCUSSION

What is the Role of Culture in Our Global Society?

How Can Culture as being Socially Connected, Help Save Humanity?

What Cultural Messages Can Benefit Environmental Changes?

Why can Culture as Gradient contribute in a System Change Towards a more Environmental Stance, Globally?

CONCLUSION

On the Relationships Between Culture; as Socially Connected, and System changes

EPILOGUE

Culture as Gradient – The Core Ingrediant for Environmental System Changes

REFERENCES

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Daniels, P., Bradshaw, M., Shaw, D. and Sidaway, J. (2012). Geography, Culture and Global Change. An Introduction to Human Geography (4th Edition). Edinburgh: Pearson Education Limited, pp. 272-291.

Gertler, M.S. (2010). Rules of the Game: The Place of Institutions in Regional Economic Change. Regional Studies, 44:1, pp. 1-15.

Khalil, E.L. (1990). Natural Complex vs. Natural System. Journal of Social and Biological Structures, Volume 13, Issue 1, pp. 11-31.

Meadows, D. (1999). Leverage Points – Places to Intervene in a System. [pdf]. Available at: http://donellameadows.org/wp-content/userfiles/Leverage_Points.pdf [Accessed: 05.06.2019].

Nelson, A. (2013). Radical Interdisciplinarity and Other Ingredients for Innovation: Andrew Nelson at TEDxOregon. [online]. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cXRrNXK4zE [Accessed: 04.02.2019].