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Open Res Eur
Open Res Eur
Open Research Europe
2732-5121
F1000 Research Limited London, UK

10.12688/openreseurope.17817.1
Open Letter
Articles
Care Literacy for Culture, Nature, and Future
[version 1; peer review: 2 approved]

Costantini Hiroko Conceptualization Writing – Original Draft Preparation https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2775-1106
a12
Nihei Misato Conceptualization Writing – Review & Editing 3
Sugiyama Masakazu Conceptualization Writing – Review & Editing 4
Yagi Nobuyuki Conceptualization Writing – Review & Editing 5
Costantini James Conceptualization Writing – Original Draft Preparation Writing – Review & Editing 6
1 Oxford Institute of Population Ageing, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 4BH, UK
2 Institute for Future Initiatives, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
3 Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
4 Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 153-8904, Japan
5 Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-0032, Japan
6 INSEAD Business School, Fontainebleau, 77300, France
a hiroko209@iog.u-tokyo.ac.jp
No competing interests were disclosed.

13 6 2024
2024
4 11531 5 2024
Copyright: © 2024 Costantini H et al.
2024
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licence, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Within the broader sustainability agenda, an important element relates to the need for a transformative approach to nature. This motivates and is reflected in the Natures Futures Framework. Within this framework, this letter focuses on the relational value of Nature as Culture/One with Nature. This is important yet complex as part of the re-orienting of values to enable truly significant change, and which necessitates individual and community involvement on the value of caring for nature. As a means for understanding and enabling individuals’ potential to engage and contribute, the notion of ‘care for nature literacy’ is put forward.

Nature Futures Framework; Nature; Culture; Care Literacy; Sustainability
Horizon 2020 Framework Programme753717 This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 753717. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
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pmcIntroduction

Within the broader sustainability agenda, as per the United Nationals Sustainable Development Goals 1 , an important element relates to aspects of nature. The extent of challenge to the natural environment is significant, as exemplified by the proportion of planetary boundaries assessed to have been crossed 2 . The need to shift towards a positive impact on nature is, thus, critical. One important framework for supporting the development of future nature positive approaches is the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Nature Futures Framework (NFF) 3 . The framework comprises three perspectives on the value of nature ( Figure 1): Nature for Society, which is primarily an instrumental value; Nature for Nature, which is primarily an intrinsic value; and Nature as Culture/One with Nature, which is primarily relation value 4 . This letter focuses on the third relational perspective on value, leveraging insights from the first author’s Horizon project leading to the notion of care literacy for an inclusive sustainable society 5 . The aim of this letter is to put forward an enabler of the behavioural change necessary for the systemic transformation required to achieve nature positive impact.

Figure 1. The Nature Futures Framework, with on the left-hand side three value perspectives of nature and on the right-hand side a non-exhaustive representation of knowledge systems and world views on human-nature relationships (Source: IPBES 4 ).

Discussion

The complexity underlying the NFF is significant and transparently acknowledged, with one aspect being that across people, societies and cultures there is variation in how the human-nature relationship is conceived (which is represented by the right-hand side of Figure 1). Indeed, the relational dimension has the dual title Nature as Culture/One with Nature 4 . This is reflected in, for instance, the long running and ongoing challenge of grappling with ‘nature and culture’ in anthropology 6, 7 . The challenge of addressing the Nature as Culture/One with Nature perspective is also evident in considering specific domains. For instance, in the context of cities and urban planning, important for sustainability, consideration of the NFF highlights how typically used heuristics that aim to guide practice do not generally address the relational value perspective 8 . Further, tailoring the NFF to application for urban management, one gap highlighted is for indicators to assess the Nature as Culture/One with Nature progress, given the interplay of human and natural systems 9 . Thus, the challenge in addressing the relational perspective of value of Nature remains even when focusing within specific domains: this would raise the issue that addressing this issue domain-by-domain may only bring partial progress.

Addressing the relational value of Nature as Culture/One with Nature may also be considered at different scales of potential interventions and the interplay across these. The corresponding call for systemic transformation is clear 10 , as the need for an equitable, just transition 11 . Based on considering how the NFF perspectives on value may be incorporated into just and inclusive decision processes, system-level change would be complemented by bottom-up agency, with individual and community level engagement to involve also a reflection and potential reassessment of their values 12 . Considering the relational aspect, this could be viewed as giving more weight to caring for nature 13 .

Such care for nature would need to be consistent with significant systemic transformation. The connection from people to nature is complex. In tracing through from individual behaviours to impact on nature, there are not only more evident proximate, immediate effects but also indirect, distant and/or future impacts: an important example being the interconnection between consumption choices and sustainability of globally interwoven supply chains 14 . Further, there is a need for such a system to transform, as motivated the development of the NFF. In such a context, a relevant question is what sort of ‘literacy’ is required to enable people to understand, engage and act; a literacy about their interrelationship with nature.

The idea of an appropriate literacy as being a foundation for people’s active engagement has been applied in several domains, such as for health literacy 15 . In considering literacy regarding nature, there is a focus on how to educate children, which based on other notions of literacy identifies the need for nature literacy to include motivation, knowledge, competence and confidence to act 16 . Importantly, this highlights that concepts of literacy not only encompass being able to access information but importantly include being able to infer the implications for oneself, and, crucially, to identify and bring into practice corresponding behaviours. We have put forward “care literacy” 5 , which has an orientation towards others: whereas, say, health literacy is about own health, care literacy is about care for others. Such care literacy is not limited to enabling care for close ones but importantly also a more generalised notion of care for others in the community. For instance, this broader community scope would include considering how behaviours contribute to inclusion. With its external orientation, care literacy has a parallel with how behaviours may trace through to a potentially broad impact on nature, including proximate as well as indirect, distant impacts.

This points to the potential value of the notion of a literacy about caring for nature, “care for nature literacy”, and developing the corresponding means to assess such a literacy, as is done with other forms of literacy. Such assessments of people’s care for nature literacy would provide one set of indicators to inform understanding at least people’s potential for understanding, engagement and action on the Nature as Culture/One with Nature value perspective. Finally, literacy relating to care for nature would be complementary to literacy for care for others, and thus a means to connect to the overall environmental and social sustainability agenda.

Conclusion

The need for a transformative approach to nature motivates and is reflected in the Natures Futures Framework. Within this framework, the relational value on Nature as Culture/One with Nature is central, give the need to re-orient values as an enabler of truly significant change. Correspondingly, engagement of individuals and communities on this value of care for nature is important, though a complex domain in which to do so. Development of the notion of ‘care for nature literacy’ would provide a means for understanding and enabling individuals’ potential to engage and contribute.

Ethics and consent

Ethical approval and consent were not required.

Disclaimer

The views expressed in this article are those of the authors. Publication in Open Research Europe does not imply endorsement of the European Commission.

Data availability

No data are associated with this article.

10.21956/openreseurope.19261.r42538
Reviewer response for version 1
Poto Margherita Paola 1Referee
1 UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway
18 9 2024 Copyright: © 2024 Poto MP
2024
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ This is an open access peer review report distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licence, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Version 1recommendationapprove
The article under review provides a comprehensive exploration of the Nature Futures Framework (NFF) as outlined by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). It adeptly discusses the three value perspectives of nature—Nature for Society, Nature for Nature, and Nature as Culture/One with Nature—with a particular focus on the latter. The discussion is enriched by the integration of the Horizon project insights, which introduce the concept of 'care literacy' as a pivotal enabler for behavioral change towards a nature-positive future.

Detailed Observations

1. **Framework Complexity and Cultural Dimensions:**

   The article effectively acknowledges the complexity of the NFF, especially in its cultural and relational dimensions. The variation in human-nature relationships across different societies and cultures is well illustrated with references to anthropological challenges (citations 6,7). However, the discussion could benefit from a deeper analysis of how these cultural perspectives can be reconciled or integrated within the NFF. Adding a reference such as [Ref 1] could provide a broader theoretical foundation on care literacy as an integral component of emotional and ecological literacy to enhance understanding across diverse cultural contexts.

2. **Urban Planning and Indicators:**

   The application of the NFF in urban contexts is discussed, highlighting the lack of indicators for assessing the 'Nature as Culture/One with Nature' perspective. This section is insightful but would benefit from specific examples of proposed indicators or case studies where similar frameworks have been successfully applied. The addition of such details would provide practical guidance for urban planners and policymakers looking to implement the NFF.

3. **Systemic Transformation and Scale of Interventions:**

   The call for systemic transformation and the need for a just transition are well-articulated. The article discusses the interplay between top-down and bottom-up approaches in fostering systemic change. It would be constructive to include more detailed strategies or models that outline how these scales of intervention could interact more effectively. Further exploration of this interplay could offer valuable insights into operationalizing the NFF at different societal levels.

4. **Literacy and Engagement:**

   The introduction of 'care literacy' is a novel and compelling concept. The article posits that care literacy could facilitate a deeper connection between individuals and nature, promoting sustainable behaviors. While the discussion on literacy is robust, expanding on how care literacy can be developed, assessed, and integrated into educational and community programs would provide a clearer roadmap for its implementation.

Constructive Criticism

The article is well-structured and presents a complex framework in an accessible manner. However, the potential for practical application of the NFF and care literacy could be emphasized more strongly. Providing more concrete examples, tools, or methodologies for applying these concepts would greatly enhance the utility of the article for practitioners and decision-makers.

Conclusion

Overall, the article makes a significant contribution to the discourse on biodiversity and ecosystem services by framing the discussion within the NFF and introducing the concept of care literacy. With the suggested enhancements, particularly the inclusion of the reference for emotional and ecological literacy, the article could serve as a seminal piece for academics, practitioners, and policymakers engaged in environmental sustainability and cultural transformation.

Where applicable, are recommendations and next steps explained clearly for others to follow? (Please consider whether others in the research community would be able to implement guidelines or recommendations and/or constructively engage in the debate)

Yes

Does the article adequately reference differing views and opinions?

Yes

Are all factual statements correct, and are statements and arguments made adequately supported by citations?

Yes

Is the rationale for the Open Letter provided in sufficient detail? (Please consider whether existing challenges in the field are outlined clearly and whether the purpose of the letter is explained)

Yes

Is the Open Letter written in accessible language? (Please consider whether all subject-specific terms, concepts and abbreviations are explained)

Yes

Reviewer Expertise:

Ocean Literacy, Emotional and Ecological Literacy, Environmental Law and Governance, Indigenous Law and Indigenous Methodology

I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard.

10.21956/openreseurope.19261.r43165
Reviewer response for version 1
Huhmarniemi Maria 1Referee https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3521-0679

1 University of Lapland, Rovaniemi, Finland
3 9 2024 Copyright: © 2024 Huhmarniemi M
2024
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ This is an open access peer review report distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licence, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Version 1recommendationapprove
The complexity of the Nature Futures Framework is rooted in the diverse ways human-nature relationships are understood across cultures and societies. The relational dimension, "Nature as Culture/One with Nature," encapsulates this diversity and poses challenges in urban planning, where conventional practices often overlook relational values. Addressing these values requires systemic transformation and bottom-up engagement, encouraging individuals and communities to reassess their relationship with nature. A proposed "care for nature literacy" could be key to fostering this engagement, emphasizing not only knowledge and competence but also motivation and the ability to act in environmentally and socially responsible ways. Developing means to assess this literacy could provide valuable indicators for understanding and promoting the Nature as Culture/One with Nature perspective, aligning it with broader sustainability goals. - From my own perspective, I would add that arts-based methods could serve as tools for literacy and value transformation.

Where applicable, are recommendations and next steps explained clearly for others to follow? (Please consider whether others in the research community would be able to implement guidelines or recommendations and/or constructively engage in the debate)

Yes

Does the article adequately reference differing views and opinions?

Yes

Are all factual statements correct, and are statements and arguments made adequately supported by citations?

Yes

Is the rationale for the Open Letter provided in sufficient detail? (Please consider whether existing challenges in the field are outlined clearly and whether the purpose of the letter is explained)

Yes

Is the Open Letter written in accessible language? (Please consider whether all subject-specific terms, concepts and abbreviations are explained)

Yes

Reviewer Expertise:

art education, environmental education

I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard.

Competing interests: No competing interests were disclosed.

Competing interests: No competing interests were disclosed.
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