New approaches, old ideas: The subtle revolution of physical geography

Physical geography (PG) is currently experiencing a subtle revolution that reinterprets old ideas in light of new scientific, social, and environmental challenges. This paper addresses the thematic areas of climatology, biogeography, hydrology, geomorphology, and the cross-cutting role of geospatial technologies in disaster risk reduction, and speaks to geographers, environmental scientists, and policy-oriented scholars concerned with the implications of global change. Its importance lies in reframing PG not only as a technical discipline but also as a critical and integrative field, socially situated, capable of contributing to sustainability and socio-environmental justice. The key problem identified is the persistence of fragmented and technicist approaches that overlook the entanglement of natural processes with social, political, and cultural dynamics. Our central aim is to assess how different fields are incorporating integrative frameworks and to evaluate their role in shaping a renewed disciplinary identity. Climatology increasingly incorporates the social dimension of climate and the assessment of inequality through socio-economic scenarios to contextualize climate change. Biogeography integrates ecosystem services to link conservation with human well-being. Hydrology recognizes the hydro-social dimensions of water, reframing debates on justice and governance. Geomorphology engages critically with the political production of landscapes and their implications for spatial justice. Together, these developments indicate that PG does not weaken by engaging with social sciences; instead, it strengthens its explanatory capacity and enhances its societal relevance. We argue that this subtle revolution, grounded in long-standing geographical traditions, positions PG as a reflective, interdisciplinary, and socially engaged science. By overcoming the dichotomy between the physical and the social, PG can better address global environmental change, territorial conflicts, and sustainability challenges. Drawing on recent review literature and illustrative case-work, we examine the extent to which these fields are transcending technical specialization to address complex socio-environmental challenges through a critical, integrative lens.