This article discusses the limitations of "panaceas" in addressing complex environmental and social challenges. A panacea is a single solution applied to all problems, such as government ownership, privatization, or community property. The authors argue that such simplistic solutions often fail because they assume uniform preferences and perceptions among resource users, which is not always the case. They highlight several examples where panaceas have failed, such as the failure of government ownership in fisheries, the negative consequences of decentralization in Ghana, and the inefficacy of privatization in water and energy systems. The article emphasizes the need for more nuanced approaches that consider the complexity of social-ecological systems (SESs). It suggests that effective governance requires diagnostic approaches, monitoring, and learning from outcomes. The authors present various studies that demonstrate the importance of understanding local contexts, incorporating diverse perspectives, and adapting policies based on feedback. The special feature includes articles that provide theoretical frameworks and empirical evidence to support these arguments. For example, Elinor Ostrom's framework for diagnosing complex SESs is discussed, as well as case studies on community management, forest governance, and water institutions. The authors also highlight the importance of using formal methods, such as robust control and Bayesian learning, to improve the effectiveness of governance strategies. Overall, the article calls for a shift away from simplistic solutions and toward more comprehensive, adaptive approaches that account for the complexity of SESs. It underscores the importance of interdisciplinary research and the need to integrate knowledge from various fields to develop effective solutions for sustainable resource use.This article discusses the limitations of "panaceas" in addressing complex environmental and social challenges. A panacea is a single solution applied to all problems, such as government ownership, privatization, or community property. The authors argue that such simplistic solutions often fail because they assume uniform preferences and perceptions among resource users, which is not always the case. They highlight several examples where panaceas have failed, such as the failure of government ownership in fisheries, the negative consequences of decentralization in Ghana, and the inefficacy of privatization in water and energy systems. The article emphasizes the need for more nuanced approaches that consider the complexity of social-ecological systems (SESs). It suggests that effective governance requires diagnostic approaches, monitoring, and learning from outcomes. The authors present various studies that demonstrate the importance of understanding local contexts, incorporating diverse perspectives, and adapting policies based on feedback. The special feature includes articles that provide theoretical frameworks and empirical evidence to support these arguments. For example, Elinor Ostrom's framework for diagnosing complex SESs is discussed, as well as case studies on community management, forest governance, and water institutions. The authors also highlight the importance of using formal methods, such as robust control and Bayesian learning, to improve the effectiveness of governance strategies. Overall, the article calls for a shift away from simplistic solutions and toward more comprehensive, adaptive approaches that account for the complexity of SESs. It underscores the importance of interdisciplinary research and the need to integrate knowledge from various fields to develop effective solutions for sustainable resource use.