Definition
Paul Raskin is an American sustainability scholar, author, and futurist known for his work on global scenarios, climate change mitigation, and the development of the "Great Transition" framework.
Overview
Born in 1949, Raskin co‑founded the Global Scenario Group (GSG) in the early 1990s, a collaborative research network that produced influential long‑term scenarios for global development. He served as the chief architect of the Great Transition narrative, which envisions a shift toward a sustainable, equitable, and resilient global civilization. Raskin has held positions at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, the Institute for Sustainable Development (ISD) in Canada, and the Club of Rome. His publications include The Great Transition: Shifting from Fossil Fuels to Renewable Energy (1995), Sustainability: A History (2015), and numerous articles on climate policy and scenario planning.
Etymology/Origin
The name “Paul Raskin” combines the common given name “Paul,” derived from the Latin Paulus meaning “small” or “humble,” with the surname “Raskin,” which is of Dutch and Jewish origin, meaning “little rabbit” (from the Dutch raaskin).
Characteristics
- Scenario Development: Expertise in constructing quantitative and qualitative scenarios that explore alternative futures for global social, economic, and environmental systems.
- Interdisciplinary Approach: Integrates insights from economics, ecology, political science, and cultural studies to address complex sustainability challenges.
- Policy Advocacy: Engages with international bodies such as the United Nations and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to promote evidence‑based climate and development policies.
- Educational Leadership: Teaches graduate courses on sustainability, futures studies, and systems thinking, mentoring a generation of scholars and practitioners.
- Public Communication: Author of books and articles aimed at both academic and general audiences, fostering broader public understanding of sustainable development pathways.
Related Topics
- Great Transition (scenario framework)
- Global Scenario Group (research network)
- Sustainable Development
- Climate Change Mitigation
- Futures Studies / Scenario Planning
- Club of Rome (think‑tank)
- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
Note: The information presented is drawn from publicly available biographical and scholarly sources as of the knowledge cutoff date.