Institutional Policies for a Healthy Anthropocene Society

Abstract

The Anthropocene epoch refers to the geological epoch, now underway, that is defined by monumental, human-caused geophysical changes in planetary ecosystems. Human society is also changing, marked by an equally profound shift in attitudes, beliefs, and practices. In this article, we apply research on social change in institutions—that is, in the enduring belief systems, ideas, and practices that guide organizations and society— to propose policies that could prepare Anthropocene society to change in ways that would ensure healthier ecosystems. These policies would alter the institutions driving corporate governance, patterns of consumption, the role of science in business and society, and the time horizons used by governments and organizations to plan, and they would help society adapt to unpredictable changes in the climate and in ecosystems. Ultimately, the policies would shift long-standing institutional structures, or logics, that support market capitalism and the belief in technology's ability to solve all problems to help create a more enlightened culture and more stable ecosystems on a rapidly changing planet.