Von der naturwissenschaftlichen Umweltforschung zur Nachhaltigkeitswissenschaft? Von der naturwissenschaftlichen Umweltforschung zur Nachhaltigkeitswissenschaft?

Abstract

Environmental science deals with phenomena in nature caused by human influence. Thus, its objects have material as well as symbolic aspects. Besides, problem oriented research has two main objectives: On the one hand practicing normal science, which is focused on the development in specific scientific disciplines, and, on the other hand, the more or less active involvement in social processes. Thus, its objects have descriptive as well as normative elements. With the help of three examples from environmental research (i.e. ecosystem research, climate impact research, and integrated coastal zone management), it is pointed out that modern environmental research (e.g. socioecological research), within the context of a transdisciplinary sustainability science, analyses such twofold hybrid objects of investigations with a high degree of normativity. As a result, an evaluation of this kind of research has to be oriented on criteria from inside and outside of science.