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Stockholm Resilience Centre

The Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC) is a research institute that explores the complex interactions between human societies and the natural environment, focusing on the concept of resilience. This interdisciplinary research center is located in Stockholm, Sweden, and was established to address the pressing issue of sustainable development on a planet under increasing pressure.

Origins and Leadership

The Stockholm Resilience Centre was founded as a collaboration between several prominent institutions, including Stockholm University. The centre is underpinned by the guiding principle of resilience, which in ecological terms refers to the capacity of a system to absorb disturbances while maintaining its basic functions and structures.

Carl Folke was pivotal in the establishment of the SRC, serving as its founding Science Director from 2007 to 2023. He remains an influential figure as the Chairman of the Board. Johan Rockström also played a significant role in the centre's early years, serving as its director from 2007 to 2018. He is renowned for his work on the Planetary Boundaries framework, which outlines the limits within which humanity can safely operate.

Currently, Line Gordon serves as the director, continuing the centre's mission to integrate social and ecological research in order to inform policy and practice.

Research Focus and Initiatives

The Stockholm Resilience Centre conducts research across several key areas. These include:

  1. Planetary Boundaries: This concept, introduced by Johan Rockström and colleagues, sets quantifiable limits on essential Earth system processes to prevent unacceptable environmental change. It has gained international attention as a framework for global sustainability.

  2. Social-Ecological Systems: SRC emphasizes the interconnectedness of human and natural systems, advocating for an integrated approach to resilience where both social and ecological components are considered.

  3. Natural Capital and Ecosystem Services: The centre collaborates with global initiatives like the Natural Capital Project to assess and value the benefits humans derive from nature, promoting conservation and sustainable use of ecosystems.

Impact and International Collaboration

The Stockholm Resilience Centre has a global impact, working with international partners to address sustainability challenges. It collaborates with institutions such as the Stockholm Environment Institute and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, among others, to advance research and implement solutions at local, national, and international levels.

Related Topics

By synthesizing knowledge across disciplines, the Stockholm Resilience Centre continues to play a critical role in shaping the future of sustainable development and resilience on our planet.