Stories of transformation: A cross-country focus group study on sustainable development and societal change

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dc.citation.issue8
dc.citation.volume11
dc.contributor.authorWibeck V
dc.contributor.authorLinnér B-O
dc.contributor.authorAlves T
dc.contributor.authorAsplund T
dc.contributor.authorBohman A
dc.contributor.authorBoykoff M
dc.contributor.authorFeetham P
dc.contributor.authorHuang Y
dc.contributor.authorNascimento J
dc.contributor.authorRich J
dc.contributor.authorYvon Rocha C
dc.contributor.authorVaccarino F
dc.contributor.authorXian S
dc.date.available2/04/2019
dc.date.issued24/04/2019
dc.description.abstractSocietal transformation is one of the most topical concepts in sustainability research and policy-making. Used in many ways, it indicates that nonlinear systematic changes are needed in order to fully address global environmental and human development challenges. This paper explores what sustainability transformations mean for lay focus group participants in Cabo Verde, China, Fiji, Sweden, and the USA. Key findings include: (a) Tightly linked to interpersonal relationships, sustainability was seen as going beyond the Sustainable Development Goals to include a sense of belonging; (b) transformations were framed as fundamental changes from today’s society, but most participants stated that transformation pathways need to splice new structures into the old; (c) new technologies are key engines of change. Yet, the most common drivers were awareness, education, and knowledge sharing; and (d) regardless of whether state-centric or decentralized governance was preferred, personal action was seen as essential. The focus groups displayed a shared understanding across the geographical settings; a common realization of profound sustainability predicaments facing societies across the world; and a desire for fundamental change towards a more sustainable way of life.
dc.description.publication-statusPublished
dc.identifierhttp://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000467752200240&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=c5bb3b2499afac691c2e3c1a83ef6fef
dc.identifierARTN 2427
dc.identifier.citationSUSTAINABILITY, 2019, 11 (8)
dc.identifier.doi10.3390/su11082427
dc.identifier.eissn2071-1050
dc.identifier.elements-id423037
dc.identifier.harvestedMassey_Dark
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10179/14574
dc.publisherMDPI (Basel, Switzerland)
dc.relation.isPartOfSUSTAINABILITY
dc.subjectsocietal transformation
dc.subjectsustainability
dc.subjectsense-making
dc.subjectfocus groups
dc.subjectclimate change
dc.subjectsustainable development goals
dc.subjectUN 2030 Agenda
dc.subject.anzsrc12 Built Environment and Design
dc.titleStories of transformation: A cross-country focus group study on sustainable development and societal change
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.notesNot known
pubs.organisational-group/Massey University
pubs.organisational-group/Massey University/Massey Business School
pubs.organisational-group/Massey University/Massey Business School/School of Communication, Journalism and Marketing
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