Signals from Scandinavia
The Living Forest
How might we explore our relationship to the forest?
Our relationship with forests
The Stockholm Museum of Science and Technology’s current exhibition explores our relationship with the living forest.
What role do trees play in our lives and how might we explore our relationship with the forest and its role in human wellbeing?
Forest Ecosystems. At the heart of the exhibition a film explored the complex interactions and feedback loops among the various components of the forest ecosystem. We see the underlying life force of the forest and the dynamic relationships between the trees, plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. Forests like the Amazon are over 30 million years old and whilst the exhibition film nudges around the effects of human impact, the larger story we see is the potential for regeneration of the forest ecosystem if only humans would get out of the way.
Forests as Carbon sink or Carbon source
The world’s forests cover about 30% of the Earth’s land and the World Resources Institute tells us that in the period between 2001 and 2021, the world’s forests have absorbed approximately 7.2 billion more tonnes of CO2 per year than they emitted.
The Amazon is the world’s largest tropical forest and whilst currently continues to function as a carbon sink, it is dangerously close to becoming a carbon source in its own right. Global warming and forest loss are contributing to increased temperatures which lead to increases in forests’ vulnerability to fire and pest decay with the potential for increased carbon emissions that one day soon may represent larger volumes than the forest is able to absorb.
Forest Ecosystems
In what ways are the interconnecting forces of rising temperatures, changes in rainfall patterns and increased extreme weather events, impacting forest health and biodiversity?
As we imagine, develop and explore future scenarios . . what shifts in species, forest dynamics and ecosystems seem more likely than others? How might a more urgent focus on the anthropogenic stressors of land-use, deforestation, agricultural intensification, and urbanisation help us to reorientate the system toward adaptability and resilience?
Resilient forest ecosystems
What roles can reforestation, afforestation, and other nature-based solutions play in mitigating climate change and enhancing the resilience of forest ecosystems?
As we contemplate possible futures, what do we notice about the way we value forests, especially in the context of ownership and responsibility? And how might we reimagine our relationships with forests? What can we do to contribute to the overall resilience and stability of these forest systems as we ready ourselves for alternative possible futures ahead?
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?
