From parasites to mutualists, is there a future for humanity in the age of technology

In this talk Ief Winckelmans, will delve into the relationship between species and their environments, suggesting that humanity's journey, particularly influenced by the western industrial mindset, has inadvertently mirrored a parasitic dynamic with Earth. This wasn't intentional, but rather a consequence of striving for comfort and progress without fully grasping the long-term, global impact. Now, as we witness the planetary consequences, the talk proposes we are "waking up" to the need for a fundamental shift. The core message is one of potential and responsibility. Having reached this point through our ingenuity, the argument is that we now must consciously evolve – moving away from unintentional harm towards a mindful, 'mutualistic' approach. This involves leveraging our "amazing talents" and technological prowess, which contributed to the current challenges, to now innovate solutions for a sustainable world. Furthermore, Mr. Winckelmans will touch upon the work of IMPACTVISTA, highlighting the belief that many building blocks for necessary eco-solutions already exist ("gathering dust") within universities and research labs. Discover how efforts are underway to identify and activate this dormant potential to accelerate the transition to sustainability.