Summary

Humankind is currently facing unprecedented changes in the Earth system, that have arisen at a rapidly growing rate because of human activities: among others, unsustainable exploitation and consumption of natural resources and accelerating perturbations of the environment. The systemic understanding of global environmental change has expanded markedly, but societal and policy-relevant drivers and consequences are still to be fully explored. In particular, the complex Earth system requires interdisciplinary studies at scales compatible to political and societal agendas, and some stronger common, integrated foundations between natural, social and human sciences to be established.

In this context, the Forward Look “Responses to Environmental and Societal Challenges for our Unstable Earth” (RESCUE) will help addressing the societal and scientific challenges related to global environmental change, including its human dimensions, and help stimulating an integrated response from natural, social and human sciences. This will be achieved through the following key objectives:

1. To propose a strategic process for natural, social and human sciences to improve their interdisciplinary synergy, to respond efficiently to societal and policy-relevant needs; 
2. To articulate new scientific issues related to global change, especially those of transdisciplinary nature or of major society-driven relevance; 
3. To explore new approaches towards interdisciplinary science, and to facilitate the ‘revolution’ in education and capacity building it requires.

Through its analyses and recommendations, RESCUE will help enabling the scientific community, together with other actors and key stakeholders, to develop medium to long-term strategies for future research activities and applications. It is anticipated that RESCUE will impact society by favouring common strategic understanding and coordination, and transformative education delivery, to help ensuring global sustainable governance.