Exploring the diversity of conceptualizations of nature in East and South-East Asia

The article “Exploring the diversity of conceptualizations of nature in East and South-East Asia“ had contributions by SOLEN’s representative was published in Nature on May 31, 2022. 

• The article sheds light on the variety of meanings and connotations that tend to be lost or hidden in translations of different concepts of nature in East and Southeast Asia. By reviewing nature comments in Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Filipino, Tagalog, Cebuano, Lumad, Indonesian, Burmese, Nepalese, Khmer, and Mongolian, the authors indicated conceptual sophistication of nature often contains points that are not suitable for intensive cosmology.
• In conclusion, the authors suggested that conceptual diversity needs to be represented in global reports on sustainability, possibly driven by the direct involvement of experts who are leading thinkers of traditions or have the ability to interpret knowledge in languages ​​other than English.

Considering the diversity of conceptualizations about nature can lead to better decisions about sustainability, improve the acceptability, and effectiveness of environmental policies in national and international contexts. Practical solutions and policies must be designed around the local conceptual and cultural framework.

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