"Researchers Suggest Human Evolution Could Hinder Climate Change Solutions"
Researchers from the University of Maine suggest that human evolution, particularly our cultural adaptations that have allowed us to dominate the planet, may hinder our ability to solve global environmental problems like climate change. The study, published in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, indicates that the same traits that enabled humans to thrive—such as exploiting resources and expanding territories—now contribute to environmental crises. Sustainable systems historically emerge after resource struggles, and current global challenges require unprecedented levels of cooperation and global governance, which are not yet in place. The research proposes that understanding the drivers of cultural evolution could be key to fostering global solutions to environmental issues.