Approaching Wicked Issues in Practice, in Theory, and in the Wild

Throughout history, philosophers and scientists have come up with life-saving solutions to socio-environmental problems. We can prevent polio and smallpox, we have antibiotics, and we rely on technology to clean water. However, equally often, possible solutions are not timely or broadly implemented. Physicians know how to cure and prevent tuberculosis, but it is still the deadliest infectious disease in the world (Foster, 2020). Climate and food scientists expect that a more plant-based food production system and diet would drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions (Hayek et al., 2020), land use (Stehfest et al., 2009), and diseases (American Dietetic Association, and Dietitians of Canada, 2009), but every year, only approximately 1% of the population in the Netherlands decides to become vegetarian (de Waart, 2020). While epidemiologists and microbiologists have developed models and vaccines to stop a pandemic, the fight against COVID-19 has been hampered by vaccination skepticism. Why is implementing a possible solution to our problems so hard? How can we improve this situation?