Focus on global-local-global analysis of sustainability

Abstract This special issue is the outcome of a workshop held at Purdue University in April 2022. It comprises thematic syntheses five overarching dimensions Global-to-Local-to-Global (GLG) challenge to ensuring long-term sustainability land and water resources. These include: climate change, ecosystems biodiversity, governance, resources cyberinfrastructure. In addition, there are eight applications GLG analysis specific challenges, ranging from environmental stress Amazon River Basin groundwater depletion United States. Based on these papers, we conclude that, without fine-scale, local analysis, interventions focusing will likely be misguided. But formulating such policies broader, national/global context also problematic – both point view global drivers stresses, as well capture unanticipated spillovers. because systems connected mediated by meso-scale processes, accounting for key phenomena, labor market functioning, critical characterizing interactions. We that great scope increasing complexity future work. However, this carries significant risks. Increased can outstrip data modeling capabilities, slow down research, make results more difficult understand interpret, complicate effective communication with decision-makers other users analyses. believe research guidance regarding appropriate high priority emerging field Global-Local-Global sustainability.