Ecology for a social revolution: Re-defining the role of ecological and environmental science professionals and their responsibilities towards society

The sixth mass extinction and the ongoing biodiversity and climate crises demand urgent action from ecologists and environmental scientists (EESs). Despite their critical role in addressing these challenges, EESs face unclear professional responsibilities towards society, local communities and ecosystems. The 2024 ANdiNA workshop was held in Conguillío National Park in Chile, within Wallmapu the ancestral land of the Mapuche people. It gathered global EESs to explore the roles, obligations and accountability of professionals in this field. The discussions focused on the evolving responsibilities of EESs amidst the environmental crises, as well as the need for clearer frameworks to guide their actions. Key questions included the scope of EESs' professional activities, how their obligations should adapt during times of crisis and whether they should be held accountable for scientific mistakes that lead to negative societal outcomes. The workshop explored the potential for creating a codified framework, such as an oath or manifesto, to clarify EESs' professional responsibilities. Participants highlighted the importance of integrating financial, intellectual, ethical and institutional dimensions in defining these roles, particularly in how EESs engage with local communities and society. Emerging themes included the need for a shared framework to align EESs' actions, exemplified by the Conguillío Statement , which encourages collaboration, inclusivity and ethical engagement with communities, especially Indigenous ones. The workshop also emphasised the importance of solution-orientated, transformative research and advocacy, calling for a shift in how EESs approach their roles as agents of change. By critically reflecting on their responsibilities, the workshop provided a foundation for re-imagining the role of EESs in the face of global environmental crises, urging systemic, collaborative approaches to safeguarding both nature and humanity.

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Publication Details

Journal
Research Ideas and Outcomes
Published
2025-05-07
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3897/rio.11.e152859
Citations
2
Primary Topic
Climate Change Communication and Perception
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
8.40

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article

Ecology for a social revolution: Re-defining the role of ecological and environmental science professionals and their responsibilities towards society

Helen M. Regan, Marc W. Cadotte, Andrea Monica D. Ortiz, Florencia A. Yannelli et al.
2 citations
Research Ideas and Outcomes
Climate Change Communication and Perception
8.40
article

Ecology for a social revolution: Re-defining the role of ecological and environmental science professionals and their responsibilities towards society

Helen M. Regan, Marc W. Cadotte, Andrea Monica D. Ortiz, Florencia A. Yannelli, Mariana C. Chiuffo, Marilyn Grell‐Brisk, Ana Carolina Prado‐Valladares, Carlos Alberto Arnillas, Sharon K. Collinge, Heather M. Kharouba, Rebecca Kariuki, Roger Cousens, Kadambari Devarajan, Gisela C. Stotz, Bruno Eleres Soares, Anni Arponen, Florian Schnabel, Michael Williams, Kristiina Visakorpi, Ken Ehrlich, Javiera Chinga Chamorro
article en
2 citations

Abstract

The sixth mass extinction and the ongoing biodiversity and climate crises demand urgent action from ecologists and environmental scientists (EESs). Despite their critical role in addressing these challenges, EESs face unclear professional responsibilities towards society, local communities and ecosystems. The 2024 ANdiNA workshop was held in Conguillío National Park in Chile, within Wallmapu the ancestral land of the Mapuche people. It gathered global EESs to explore the roles, obligations and accountability of professionals in this field. The discussions focused on the evolving responsibilities of EESs amidst the environmental crises, as well as the need for clearer frameworks to guide their actions. Key questions included the scope of EESs' professional activities, how their obligations should adapt during times of crisis and whether they should be held accountable for scientific mistakes that lead to negative societal outcomes. The workshop explored the potential for creating a codified framework, such as an oath or manifesto, to clarify EESs' professional responsibilities. Participants highlighted the importance of integrating financial, intellectual, ethical and institutional dimensions in defining these roles, particularly in how EESs engage with local communities and society. Emerging themes included the need for a shared framework to align EESs' actions, exemplified by the Conguillío Statement , which encourages collaboration, inclusivity and ethical engagement with communities, especially Indigenous ones. The workshop also emphasised the importance of solution-orientated, transformative research and advocacy, calling for a shift in how EESs approach their roles as agents of change. By critically reflecting on their responsibilities, the workshop provided a foundation for re-imagining the role of EESs in the face of global environmental crises, urging systemic, collaborative approaches to safeguarding both nature and humanity.

Research Ideas and OutcomesVol. 11
University of California, Riverside (US), Universidad Mayor (CL), University of Southern California (US), Universidad Andrés Bello (CL), Pitzer College (US), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (AR), University of Ottawa (CA), University of Turku (FI), Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (AR), University of Freiburg (DE), The University of Melbourne (AU), University of Concepción (CL), University of Rhode Island (US), University of Toronto (CA), University of Regina (CA), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NO), Scarborough Health Network (CA), IP Australia (AU), Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (DE), Fundação Instituto de Pesca do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (BR), Arizona State University (US), Universidad Nacional del Comahue (AR), Freie Universität Berlin (DE)
Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, University of Toronto, Koneen Säätiö
Openalex Percentile: Top 3%
Climate Change Communication and Perception
8.40
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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