AMBIO: A Journal of the Human Environment

Published by: Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

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AMBIO: A Journal of the Human Environment 37(2):125-133. 2008
doi: 10.1579/0044-7447(2008)37[125:DIEF]2.0.CO;2

Developing Interdisciplinary Environmental Frameworks

Petri Tapio and Risto Willamo

Petri Tapio is adjunct professor at Finland Futures Research Centre. His major research areas are the theoretical perspectives of environmental protection and futures studies, and empirical studies into the climate policy of energy and transport systems. His address: Finland Futures Research Centre, Turku School of Business Administration, Korkeavuorenkatu 25 A2, Fin-00130 Helsinki, Finland. , www.tse.fi/tutu/engltapio.htm

Risto Willamo is lecturer in environmental sciences. His major research focus is on the interdisciplinary cognitive models as tools for environmental protection and education. His address: Environmental Sciences, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, PO Box 27, (Viikki E-building), Fin-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland.

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to review interdisciplinary systemic frameworks of environmental protection and evaluate their use as tools, educational policymaking and education. We analyze the pressures-state-responses (PSR) framework of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the drivers-pressures-state-impact-response (DPSIR) framework developed in the European Environment Agency and a later environmental political dynamics framework developed by Schroll and Stærdahl. We then continue the discussion by introducing a comprehensive model, labeled as the environmental protection process (EPP) framework that can be used to analyze and teach why there are environmental problems, what are their characteristics, and in which ways they can be mitigated. The EPP model is used for classifying measures of coping with environmental problems. Finally, a submodel of individual and societal factors affecting human action is formed. Environmental issues of transport are used as an illustrative example. We hope to contribute a relevant way to outline a wide interdisciplinary picture of environmental problems and solutions.

Received: March 29, 2006; Accepted: September 12, 2007



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Online publication date: 1-Mar-2009.
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