Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Nurturing Technologies for Sustainability Transitions

  • Commentary
  • Published:
Foundations of Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper is a commentary to a paper by Erik Paredis (2011). It is firstly argued that the theories of technology, as distinguished by Feenberg, cannot adequately explain the different interpretations of the role of technology in the transition towards sustainability, as Paredis argues. Secondly, the basic argument of Paredis is countered that transition research is fundamentally handicapped by its constructivists roots to discriminate between options. Finally it is argued that a third strand of transition research exists that is explicitly interventionist, and that nurtures specific technology in context.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Banuri T., Weyant J., Akuma G., Najam A., Pinguelli R. L., Rayner S. et al (2001) Setting the stage: Climate change and sustainable development. In: Metz B., Davidson O., Swart R., Pan J. (eds) Climate change 2001: Mitigation, contribution of working III to the third assessment report of the intergovernmental panel on climate change. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Bos A. P. (2008) Instrumentalization theory and reflexive design in animal husbandry. Social Epistemology 22(1): 29–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bos A. P., Groot Koerkamp P. W. G. (2009) Synthesizing needs in system innovation through methodical design. A methodical outline on the role of needs in reflexive interactive design (RIO). In: Poppe K. J., Termeer C., Slingerland M. (eds) Transitions towards sustainable agriculture, food chains and peri-urban areas. Wageningen Academic Publishers, Wageningen

    Google Scholar 

  • Bos A. P., Groot Koerkamp P. W. G., Groenestein K. (2003) A novel design approach based on recursive control. Livestock Production Science 84: 157–170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feenberg A. (1999) Questioning technology. Routledge, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Geels F. W. (2005) The dynamics of transitions in socio-technical systems: A multi-level analysis of the transition pathway from horse-drawn carriages to automobiles (1860–1930). Technology Analysis & Strategic Management 17(4): 445–476

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goeminne, G., & Paredis, E. (2011). The concept of ecological debt: Challenging established science-policy frameworks in the transition to sustainable development. In E. Techera (Ed.), Frontiers of environment and citizenship. Oxford: Inter-Disciplinary Press (in print).

  • Groot Koerkamp P. W. G., Bos A. P. (2008) Designing complex and sustainable agricultural production systems; an integrated and reflexive approach for the case of table egg production in the Netherlands. NJAS-Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences 55(2): 113–138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kemp R., Loorbach D., Rotmans J. (2007) Transition management as a model for managing processes of co-evolution towards sustainable development. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology 14: 78–91

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loorbach D (2007) Transition management. New mode of governance for sustainable development. International Books, Utrecht

    Google Scholar 

  • Paredis, E. (2011). Sustainability transitions and the nature of technology. Foundations of Science, 16(2–3), 195–225.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peeters J. (1996) Leven naar menselijke maat. Otto Ulrichs antwoord op moderne schaarste. In: Janssens F., Melle U. (eds) Voeten in de aarde. Radicale groene denkers. Hadewijch/Van Arkel, Antwerpen/Utrecht

    Google Scholar 

  • Rotmans J., Loorbach D. (2007) Transition management: Reflexive steering of societal complexity through searching, learning and experimenting. In: Van den Bergh J., Bruinsma F. R. (eds) The transition to renewable energy: Theory and practcie. Edward Elgar, Cheltenham

    Google Scholar 

  • Sachs W. (1999) Planet dialectics. Explorations in environment and development. Zed Books, London/New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Schot J. W., Hoogma R., Elzen B. E. (1994) Strategies for shifting technological systems—the case of the automobile system. Futures 26(10): 1060–1076

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ulrich O. (1992) Technology. In: Sachs W. (eds) The development dictionary. A guide to knowledge as power. Zed Books, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Von Weiszäcker E., Lovins A. B., Lovins L. H. (1997) Factor four. Doubling wealth, halving resource use. Earthscan Publications, London

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Livestock Research, Wageningen UR, P.O. Box 65, Lelystad, The Netherlands

    A. P. Bos

Authors
  1. A. P. Bos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. P. Bos.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bos, A.P. Nurturing Technologies for Sustainability Transitions. Found Sci 18, 367–372 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10699-011-9271-6

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10699-011-9271-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation