Telecoupling of Human and Natural Systems

Friday, February 18, 2011: 1:30 PM-4:30 PM
140B (Washington Convention Center )
There is an increasing frequency and scope of telecoupling around the world (exchange of energy, matter, and information among human and natural systems across spatial, temporal, and organizational borders; examples may include tourism, trade, migration, species invasion, pollution, and flows and use of ecosystem services and goods across boundaries). Biophysical teleconnections in the Earth system and globalization in socioeconomic systems have been studied extensively but often separately. It is essential to address biophysical and socioeconomic dimensions simultaneously to gain insights into the complexity of telecoupling. Numerous questions arise. For example: How do human and natural systems interact beyond borders compared to the interactions within borders? What are the spatial and temporal patterns and dynamics of telecoupling? How does telecoupling shape environmental and socioeconomic sustainability at different spatial and temporal scales? How can negative telecoupling be minimized and positive telecoupling enhanced? This symposium will feature leading scholars who use innovative approaches to address these and other important questions. This symposium will provide an ideal platform to disseminate exciting findings to broad audiences from a variety of disciplines. These findings are not only scientifically intriguing but also highly relevant to a society faced with complex challenges in managing telecoupled human and natural systems for sustainability.
Organizer:
Jianguo (Jack) Liu, Michigan State University
Co-organizers:
William McConnell, Michigan State University
and Thomas J. Baerwald, National Science Foundation
Discussant:
Thomas Dietz, Michigan State University
Speakers:
Eric F. Lambin, University of Louvain
Land-Use Changes in the Globalization Era
Jianguo (Jack) Liu, Michigan State University
Global Telecoupling of Remote Places
Peter Gleick, Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment, and Security
Peak Water, Virtual Water, Real Water: Exploring the Connections
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