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The Pandemic Lens: Focusing across Time Scales for Local-Global Sustainability
Paul Arthur Berkman1,2,3
1United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), 7 bis, Avenue de la Paix, CH-1202 Geneva 2, Switzerland.
Patterns (New York, N.Y.)
|December 9, 2020
Summary
Humanity must understand exponential change across all timescales for sustainable development and survival. The COVID-19 pandemic, viewed through a "Pandemic Lens," offers crucial perspective for informed, generational decision-making.
Area of Science:
- Global Sustainability Science
- Intergenerational Equity Studies
- Complex Systems Analysis
Background:
- Human civilization faces multifaceted challenges spanning minutes to centuries.
- Sustainable development hinges on comprehending exponential change dynamics.
- Global interconnectedness necessitates unified approaches to survival.
Discussion:
- The COVID-19 pandemic provides a critical "Pandemic Lens" for evaluating risks.
- This perspective is vital for understanding urgent, long-term threats.
- Effective decision-making requires integrating short-term needs with long-term consequences.
Key Insights:
- Recognizing exponential change across diverse timescales is paramount.
- The "Pandemic Lens" enhances our ability to perceive and act on global challenges.
- Informed, forward-thinking strategies benefit all life on Earth across generations.
Outlook:
- Developing adaptive strategies for long-term resilience.
- Fostering global cooperation for sustainable futures.
- Integrating lessons from crises into policy and planning for intergenerational well-being.
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