Multiple conceptualizations of nature are key to inclusivity and legitimacy in global environmental governance

Despite increasing scientific understanding of the global environmental crisis, we struggle to adopt the policies science suggests would be effective. One of the reasons for that is the lack of inclusive engagement and dialogue among a wide range of different actors. Furthermore, there is a lack of consideration of differences between languages, worldviews and cultures. In this paper, we propose that engagement across the science-policy interface can be strengthened by being mindful of the breadth and depth of the diverse human-nature relations found around the globe. By examining diverse conceptualizations of ?nature? in more than 60 languages, we identify three clusters: inclusive conceptualizations where humans are viewed as an integral component of nature; non-inclusive conceptualizations where humans are separate from nature; and deifying conceptualizations where nature is understood and experienced within a spiritual dimension. Considering and respecting this rich repertoire of ways of describing, thinking about and relating to nature can help us communicate in ways that resonate across cultures and worldviews. This repertoire also provides a resource we can draw on when defining policies and sustainability scenarios for the future, offering opportunities for finding solutions to global environmental challenges. Fil: Coscieme, Luca. Trinity College Dublin; Irlanda Fil: da Silva Hyldmo, Håkon. Norwegian Environment Agency; Noruega Fil: Fernández-Llamazares, Álvaro. Helsingin Yliopisto; Finlandia Fil: Palomo, Ignacio. Bc3 Basque Centre For Climate Change; España Fil: Mwampamba, Tuyeni H.. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; México Fil: Selomane, Odirilwe. Stockholms Universitet; Suecia Fil: Sitas, Nadia. Stockholms Universitet; Suecia Fil: Jaureguiberry, Pedro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina Fil: Takahashi, Yasuo. Institute for Global Environmental Strategies; Japón Fil: Lim, Michelle. University of Adelaide; Australia Fil: Barral, María Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Innovación Para la Producción Agropecuaria y El Desarrollo Sostenible. - Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires Sur. Estacion Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce. Instituto de Innovación Para la Producción Agropecuaria y El Desarrollo Sostenible.; Argentina Fil: Farinaci, Juliana S.. National Institute For Space Research; Brasil Fil: Diaz-José, Julio. Tecnológico Nacional de México; México Fil: Ghosh, Sonali. Wild life Institute of India; India Fil: Ojino, Joyce. international Institute of Industrial Environmental Economics; Suecia Fil: Alassaf, Amani. The University of Jordan; Jordania Fil: Baatuuwie, Bernard N.. University for Development Studies; Ghana Fil: Balint, Lenke. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds; Reino Unido Fil: Basher, Zeenatul. Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability; Estados Unidos Fil: Boeraeve, Fanny. Research unit Biodiversity and Landscape; Bélgica Fil: Budiharta, Sugeng. Indonesian Institute of Sciences; India Fil: Chen, Ruishan. East China Normal University; China Fil: Desrousseaux, Maylis. Envrionmental Law Institute; Francia Fil: Dowo, Gregory. Department of Applied Biosciences and Biotechnolog; Zimbabue Fil: Febria, Catherine. University of Canterbury; Nueva Zelanda Fil: Ghazi, Houda. Cadi Ayyad University; Marruecos Fil: Harmáčková, Zuzana V.. Czech Academy of Sciences; República Checa Fil: Jaffe, Rodolfo. Instituto Tecnológico Vale; Brasil Fil: Kalemba, Mphatso M.. Environmental Affairs Department; Malaui Fil: Lambini, Cosmas K.. Bayreuth University; Alemania Fil: Lasmana, Felicia P.S.. HCV Resource Network; Reino Unido Fil: Mohamed, Assem A. A.. Central Laboratory for Agricultural Climate; Egipto Fil: Niamir, Aidin. Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Center; Alemania Fil: Pliscoff Varas, Patricio Andrés. Universidad Católica de Chile; Chile Fil: Sabyrbekov, Rahat. American University of Central Asia; Kirguistán Fil: Shrestha, Uttam B.. University of Southern Queensland; Australia Fil: Samakov, Aibek. Aigine Cultural Research Center; Kirguistán Fil: Sidorovich, Anna A.. ScientificandPracticalCenterforBioresourcesoftheNationalAcademyofSciencesofBelarus; Bielorrusia Fil: Thompson, Laura. U.S. Geological Survey; Estados Unidos Fil: Valle, Mireia. National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis; Estados Unidos