Signals from Scandinavia
Can we rewrite our story from conquerors of forests to co-creators with nature?
Forest Futures Scenario # 2
The scenario question
This scenario question challenges us to fundamentally shift our narrative and relationship with forests and the natural world as a whole.
🌱 Can we rewrite our story from conquerors of forests to co-creators with nature?
Humans as Conquerors of Forests
Whilst historically, humans have often viewed forests as resources to be exploited, conquered, and controlled; this mindset has led to widespread deforestation, habitat destruction, and the loss of biodiversity. Of prioritising short-term economic gain over the long-term health and resilience of forest ecosystems.
This idea of humans as “conquerors of forests” reflects our legacy of domination and extraction, shaping both our cultural attitudes, and the economic and political systems which underpin them.
Humans as Co-creators with Nature
This scenario question invites us to imagine a different story, one in which we see ourselves as “co-creators with nature.” This paradigm shift recognizes that humans are not separate from or superior to the natural world, but rather an integral part of the intricate web of life that sustains us all. It calls on us to develop a new relationship with forests based on reciprocity, respect, and mutual flourishing, in which we work alongside nature’s regenerative processes to create a more abundant and resilient future for all.
Rewriting our story in this way requires a deep transformation in our values, beliefs, and practices. It means learning from the wisdom of indigenous cultures and traditional ecological knowledge, which have long understood the importance of living in harmony with nature. It means redesigning our economic and social systems to prioritize the health of ecosystems and the well-being of all life, rather than solely maximizing human consumption and profit. And it means cultivating a sense of humility, wonder, and reverence for the mystery and complexity of the natural world, recognizing that we still have much to learn from the forests and the countless species that call them home.
By asking whether we can make this profound shift in our story and our relationship with forests, the question challenges us to confront the limitations and destructive consequences of our current worldview, while also inspiring us to envision and work towards a more regenerative and life-affirming future.
The story we tell
It reminds us that the story we tell about ourselves and our place in the world has the power to shape our actions and our impact on the planet, and that by changing our narrative, we can begin to heal our relationship with nature and with each other.
Forest Futures
The Living Forest | How might we reimagine forest futures?
Scenario # 1 | How might we consider two contrasting yet interconnected possible futures for human-forest relationships?
Scenario # 2 | Can we rewrite our story from conquerors of forests to co-creators with nature?
Scenario # 3 | In a world of virtual escapes, will forests be where we remember our roots?
