2009). Fig. 2 The three-dimensional matrix describing how research is structured in LUCID In sum, the present scientific understanding

signals that sustainability challenges are multi-scalar, multi-faceted and strongly interrelated in complex ways that require integrated solutions across scales and domains (Kates et al. 2001). In consequence, attempts to handle urgency, complexity, interconnectivity and uncertainty may trigger difficult dilemmas and conflicting concerns in society. We, therefore, identify a sequence of stages included in the matrix (see Fig. 2 left side) for how to socially recognise, act upon and learn about sustainability challenges as interconnected problem syndromes: Scientific understanding Society creates and establishes structures

to communicate, BVD-523 order beyond scientific communities, the natural scientific knowledge on causes and Staurosporine chemical structure magnitudes of the impacts of a particular sustainability challenge, like this website climate change3. Sustainability goals Society formulates and negotiates social goals, for one or multiple challenges, in political dialogues between society and science4. Sustainability pathways and strategies Society takes political decisions on pathways and strategies to fulfil the goals5. Implementation Society implements strategies, policies and measures while simultaneously initiating social learning processes to evaluate implementations and cAMP outcomes6. If sustainability science speaks with the Anthropocene vocabulary, then it means that sustainability challenges can only be met when the fundamental interconnections between nature and society are studied in more systematic, integrated and flexible ways (Kates et al. 2001; Ostrom 2009; Rockström et al. 2009). The strong tradition of separating natural and social sciences

in academia has resulted in an inadequate understanding of nature–society interactions and the integrated dynamics of the ‘Earth System’ as a whole (Schellnhuber 1999; Steffen et al. 2004). We, therefore, suggest that researchers who collaborate across disciplines to adopt integrated approaches for overcoming the divide also seek to maintain reflective, reflexive and critical approaches to the Anthropocene imagery and to scientific representations in which nature and society are integrated as a whole (Lövbrand et al. 2009). Old and new concepts in sustainability science The structuring of the research field of sustainability science must draw upon scholarly work from a range of disciplines. Such a broad basis provides a crucial starting point for understanding theoretical and empirical multiplicities and addressing the urgency of sustainability challenges. This section describes the scientific connectivity. We proceed from the assumption that social and natural systems are characterised by complexity, non-linearity, self-organisation and strong interlinkages.