1.4: Information, information sharing and where people get their information from.

Topic  Overview

Nature is a complex system that involves interactions between the various elements of the environment including humans.  Our focus is to learn more about how to work together in our efforts to use and manage our environment so we can benefit now but also keep it intact for future generations. Doing so requires that we broaden our ways of knowing and sources of information.  Sustainable development and good stewardship of the environment requires that we broaden our sources of knowledge and information. We, therefore, must think and use information beyond what we would consider “normal science”, to include indigenous ways of knowing and knowledge.  Inclusivity is one of the important cornerstones of sustainable development. Acknowledging diversity in how knowledge is constructed, preserved, and used is important, especially within a localized context. Often the issues and problems we seek to address are localised and thus local people’s perspectives on issues are important too. We need to use all sources of information available to us to facilitate learning and make appropriate and well-informed decisions.