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For thousands of years, life was centered around agriculture, and humans lived in small communities with tight social ties. Over the last century, however, we have experienced a dramatic transformation in the way we live. The Industrial Revolution brought with it significant technological advances that changed everything: Machines met the need for physically demanding labor; food became more abundant and widely available; and transportation, along with its attendant infrastructure, made it possible for us to live and work at different locations.
The modern world faces unprecedented challenges, the most critical of which is the environmental crisis and the threat to human life itself. Another is the substantial burden of “lifestyle” diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and mental health illnesses, the latter often associated with the dismantling of local social support systems and loneliness. So did we go too far? Should we regret the progress we have pursued over the past hundred years?
Join us for this virtual lecture in which we discuss promising avenues, inspired by insights from behavioral social science, that will enable us to live well in the 21st century. The biggest challenges we face — most notably climate change and lifestyle-related diseases — are largely human made. Many of us are aware of the need for change but also struggling with adjusting our behaviors and habits. We will examine the extent to which our environment drives our behaviors and how modifications to our environment are key to behavioral change.
We will also review the large amount of evidence from behavioral social science on how our surroundings, including our neighbors, shape the way we live. In this context, we will examine alternative ways of living, such as “ecovillages” and “pocket neighborhoods.” These concepts integrate traditional features of human societies (strong local ties and social support systems) with modern developments (environmentally friendly houses, appliances, and infrastructure). We will zoom in on the example of Ecovillage Ithaca, located close to Cornell University.
Ecovillages and other alternative ways of living are gaining in popularity. Yet they may not be a realistic option for all, so we will also discuss the concrete steps one can take in a more mainstream environment to ensure that we can live sustainable, satisfying lives.
RESOURCES / NEXT STEPS
Ecovillage at Ithaca
Global Ecovillage Network
Thrive Ithaca
The modern world faces unprecedented challenges, the most critical of which is the environmental crisis and the threat to human life itself. Another is the substantial burden of “lifestyle” diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and mental health illnesses, the latter often associated with the dismantling of local social support systems and loneliness. So did we go too far? Should we regret the progress we have pursued over the past hundred years?
Join us for this virtual lecture in which we discuss promising avenues, inspired by insights from behavioral social science, that will enable us to live well in the 21st century. The biggest challenges we face — most notably climate change and lifestyle-related diseases — are largely human made. Many of us are aware of the need for change but also struggling with adjusting our behaviors and habits. We will examine the extent to which our environment drives our behaviors and how modifications to our environment are key to behavioral change.
We will also review the large amount of evidence from behavioral social science on how our surroundings, including our neighbors, shape the way we live. In this context, we will examine alternative ways of living, such as “ecovillages” and “pocket neighborhoods.” These concepts integrate traditional features of human societies (strong local ties and social support systems) with modern developments (environmentally friendly houses, appliances, and infrastructure). We will zoom in on the example of Ecovillage Ithaca, located close to Cornell University.
Ecovillages and other alternative ways of living are gaining in popularity. Yet they may not be a realistic option for all, so we will also discuss the concrete steps one can take in a more mainstream environment to ensure that we can live sustainable, satisfying lives.
RESOURCES / NEXT STEPS
Ecovillage at Ithaca
Global Ecovillage Network
Thrive Ithaca