In this episode we look at the technofix narrative, its relationship to innovation and precaution, and ask why it has become so prevalent when it comes to addressing (socio-)ecological problems. We also discuss alternatives and why the complexity of living systems requires different approaches.

Our guest, Christine von Weizsäcker, is a biologist and President of Ecoropa – the European Network for Ecological Reflection and Action. She has been involved in the negotiations of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, its Protocols and in the follow up to the Earth Summit in Rio for many years. She is a vocal advocate of the Rio principles of precaution, polluter-pays and public participation.

Christine introduces us to the important role that technofixes have played in environmental policy, which is linked to a narrow understanding of innovation. She calls for critical, i.e. differentiating, and multidisciplinary approaches. She also points to importance of considering long-term and far-reaching impacts of scientific and technological proposals that promise to solve singled out aspects of the multiple and interlinked current crises. Christine also shares valuable insights into the power of framing in public perception and politics.

For additional resources and a deeper exploration of Christine’s work and views, please visit:

https://www.ecoropa.info/

Further reading

von Weizsäcker, C. (2006). Precaution goes without saying, but comes with controversies. In: The Role of Precaution in GMO Policy. Austrian Ministry for Health and Women, Section IV, Forschungsberichte der Section IV, Band 6, Vienna, September 2006, pp. 7-16.

von Weizsäcker, C. (2022). RECIPES (EU Project: Reconciling Innovation and Precaution by Stakeholder Involvement) Final Conference, Intervention, 1st Panel „How to link innovation and precaution?“, 11 May 2022, Bruxelles. https://recipes-project.eu/sites/default/files/2022-05/CvW_2022%20RECIPES.pdf

Harremoës, P., Gee, D., MacGarvin, M., Stirling, A., Keys, J., Wynne, B., & Vaz, S. G. (2013). The precautionary principle in the 20th century: Late lessons from early warnings. European Environmental Agency (EEA Report 1/2013). https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/analysis/publications/late-lessons-2

Spektrum – Lexikon der Neurowissenschaft: Fehlerfreundlichkeit (2000).

Winner, L. (2010). The whale and the reactor: A search for limits in an age of high technology. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Huesemann, M., & Huesemann, J. (2011). Techno-fix: Why technology won’t save us or the environment. Gabriola: New Society Publishers.