In this lively talk, Tom Oliver argues that our current fixes for the environmental crisis are often ineffective and even make things worse. Genuine solutions need to go beyond economic and technological ‘sticking plasters’ and require inner change. This goes right down the level of self-identity- overcoming the illusion of separation from each other and nature, and our human exceptionalism. Scaled up, this requires a cultural shift to catalyse meaningful sustainability transformation. In the face of growing polycrisis, the challenge is stark; but Oliver gives examples of various bright spots of progressive change in governance and practice that provide some hope.

A short biography
Tom Oliver is Professor of Applied Ecology and Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research (Environment), at the University of Reading. He has advised Defra in the UK government, helping them to set up a ‘Systems Research Programme’, and the Cabinet Office on ‘chronic risks’ to complement the UK National Security Risk Assessment. He currently sits on the Food Standards Agency science council and expert college for the Office for Environmental Protection. He regularly advises the European Commission and was previously a member of the European Environment Agency scientific committee, working on sustainability transitions. His writing has appeared in the Guardian, Independent and BBC Science Focus and he is author of the critically acclaimed book : ‘The Self Delusion: The Surprising Science of Our Connection to Each Other and the Natural World’)

The Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery and Biodiversity Network are interested in promoting a wide variety of views and opinions on nature recovery from researchers and practitioners.

The views, opinions and positions expressed within this lecture are those of the author alone, they do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery/Biodiversity Network, or its researchers.