The End of Sustainability: Learning to Live with the Trickster in Natural Resources Management

12:15-1:30 p.m., S.J. Quinney College of Law Moot Courtroom, (Level 6)
The time has come for us to collectively reexamine—and ultimately move past—the concept of sustainability in environmental and natural resources law and management. The continued invocation of sustainability in policy discussions ignores the emerging reality of the Anthropocene, which is creating a world characterized by extreme complexity, radical uncertainty, and unprecedented change. From a legal and policy perspective, we must face the impossibility of even defining—let alone pursuing—a goal of “sustainability” in such a world.

Framing climate change as one manifestation of the trickster (a figure notably absent from European-derived American culture), the Melinda Harm Benson and Robin Kundis Craig describe the capacity of resilience theory to respond to the inherently unpredictable nature of social-ecological systems. Their work seriously explores how to manage and protect natural resources in an age of continuous and unpredictable change.

Listen to a radio interview about the book »

Free and open to the public. No registration required. 1 hour CLE (pending).
This event will be streamed and recorded on the S.J. Quinney College of Law YouTube channel »

Robin Kundis Craig is the James I. Farr Presidential Endowed Professor of Law at the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, where she is also affiliated with the Stegner Center and the University’s Global Change and Sustainability Center. Craig is the author, co-author, or editor of a dozen books and over 100 articles and book chapters. Her work concentrates on interdisciplinary examinations of natural resource management in the Anthropocene, particularly with regard to fresh water, the ocean, and the coasts.

The King’s English Bookshop will be onsite selling this book.

For questions about this event contact Kris (801) 585-3440.

Paid parking is available at the Rice-Eccles Stadium using the pay-by-phone app. We encourage you to use public transportation to our events. Take TRAX University line to the Stadium stop and walk a half block north. For other public transit options use UTA’s Trip Planner. The law school is on the Red Route for the University’s free campus shuttles (College of Law stop).