The Federation of German Scientists together with the Institute of Medical Psychology, Ludwig Maximilian University, organized an interdisciplinary and international 'autumn school' in 2023 when 30 young researchers and students participated. This important volume comprises lectures presented by international leading scientists and prominent experts from different academic fields who provided the background knowledge for 'balanced sustainability in a changing world'.

Topics selected in the first block of lectures focused on climate change and biodiversity. And in the second block, lectures were given on social and personal challenges in a changing world: How should 'smart cities' be organized in the future, and how a successful urban transformation can be managed. Then it was explained how a neuropolitical approach to humanization can help to overcome polarization in countries. The aspect of a necessary social togetherness was addressed in the third block with an example from Nepal and beyond. Finally, in a fourth block, questions of peace and intercultural spirit were evaluated.

How can we reach and maintain equanimity in a changing world? How can peace be obtained? All these lectures were followed by intense discussions with the students, and their questions reflect the interdisciplinary background of the participants.

It is hoped that the pragmatic suggestions from the participants of this autumn school will provide inspiration in finding solutions for imminent global and local problems.

Contents:

• Foreword


• Urban Nature(s): Conceptualization and Interculturality (Elvira Barkhatova, Andrew Turner Poeppel and Haiming Yang)


• Rethinking of Structural, Scientific, and Spiritual Solutions for Our Relationship with the Environment Based on Indigenous Knowledge (Amanda Vicentini, Philipp Geyer, Sophia Reinisch and Yingrui Luo)


• The Eco-Matrioska — Social Transition from a Multilevel and Integrated Perspective (Stella Drebber, Yunfei Fan, Matteo Sesia and Darja Podvigina)


• From Theory to Practice: Bicycle as a Main Transportation Mode (Thomas Carey, Yibo Cao and Elizaveta Baranova-Parfenova)


• Intersectionality Between Environmental Protection and Social-Economic Development Imbalance — A Compilation of Cultural Comparison Surveys on Transportation, Food and Menstrual Product Choices (Dongxue Zhang, Ian Joshi and Yabo Zheng)


• Promoting Pro-Environmental Behaviour Based on the Psychology of Perception — Can the Metaverse Be a Potential Solution? (Lea Skapetze, Chen Zhao, Xuanzi Yin, David von Brueck and Ezgi Önkü)


• Index

Readership: Social scientists and researchers interested in behavioural practices.

Key Features:

• Presents practical solutions and concrete ideas for sustainable development from scientific, economic, cultural and social perspectives


• Combines various academic backgrounds as well as nationalities for an interdisciplinary and international approach to the big questions of our time