Chapter 4: Thinking Systemically and Sustainably 4 Thinking Systemically and Sustainably C H A P T E R

Learning Outcomes See how different concepts are related. Understand systemic thinking and how it helps identify root problems. See root problems as opposed to numerous symptomatic problems. Understand some key examples of root problems.

What Is Systemic Thinking? It considers the sum of all the parts and how they all work together as a single whole system. –Thinking critically about a problem and not becoming focused on just the symptom being observed

Systemic Versus Symptomatic Thinking Systemic − Thinking about a whole situation. Symptomatic − Thinking about an individual problem. Is taking pain killers to treat chronic pain a symptomatic solution or a systemic solution? Are the current solutions to environmental problems systemic or systematic? Why?

Understanding a System A system is a collection of parts that work cooperatively to function. A single disturbance can affect the entire system. –Think of a natural ecosystem and remove one of the components. Explain what you think would happen to that system and how that one component’s removal disrupted the equilibrium of that system.

Feedback Systems (Negative Versus Positive) Negative feedback system − Neutralizes a response. Positive feedback system − Pushes a response to a more polarized end; magnifies the effect.

Systems Thinking Looking at the whole system helps you better understand problems that are occurring in that system. Four key components of systems: –Inputs –Throughputs –Stores –Outputs

Cyclic Logic System See figure 4.1 on pages The earth is a closed system. Everything in that system has to interact in a cyclic way if the system is to continue functioning indefinitely.

Human Industrial Linearity

Exponential Function, Population Growth, and Resource Use Exponential Function –Models relationships where there is constant growth over a specific period of time –Allows us to determine future growth rates of a population –Allows us to determine the extent of resource use and the future availability of those resources

Exponential Function Oil supply is going to decrease and demand is going to increase. How do you think society will handle this situation?

Understanding Inputs and Outputs – Bathtub Systems Input = Output – Equilibrium Input ≠ Output – Imbalance How do you think global climate change relates to the input/output system? –Think about the notorious greenhouse gas, CO 2.

Thinking Critically About Sustainability 3P model − Decision making requires thinking about people, the planet, and profit.

Which Critical Thinking Characteristics Do You Have? Open-mindedness Thinking evaluatively Willingness to admit lack of knowledge and understanding Willingness to find valid evidence Adjusting own opinion based on new evidence and facts and avoiding being dogmatic

Thinking Critically About an Environmental Issue How might a critical thinker have approached the claim of ozone depletion? How might a critical thinker approach other environmental issues (e.g., climate change, deforestation, species loss)?

Filters That Help People Ask the Right Questions Literate Filter –Makes sense of words. –Critical thinking helps to put words into context and to question presuppositions in order to have rational discussions. (continued)

Filters That Help People Ask the Right Questions (continued) Numerate Filter –Making sense of the numbers –Total Reliability = TR × HR SR TR = Technology reliability HR = Human reliability SR = Systems reliability (continued)

Filters That Help People Ask the Right Questions (continued) Ecolate Filter –Thinking holistically –Understanding that everything is connected –First law of ecology

Cassandra Syndrome Valid warnings are dismissed or disbelieved. Irrational fears are not based on science. Need a balance of critical thinking and knowledge of the issue in question. Need an understanding of how science works. When do we act?

Symbolic Beliefs Environmentally minded but lack a high level of environmentally minded behaviors. Logical idealists – 40% of the population – want to respect nature but also want to maintain their current standard of living. – How might logical idealists resolve their cognitive dissonance? (continued)

Symbolic Beliefs (continued) Trash builds up around the can by well-meaning disposers who do not take the ethic to another level of behavior. Note how much is fast food waste.

What Caused the Environmental Problems to Begin With? See figure 4.7 on page 90. The root cause analysis assumes the whole system is interrelated and that any reaction in one area of the system creates ripples that flow across the whole system.

Tasks for Thinking Sustainably Choose a better model to define happiness, well-being, and the human condition. Begin a more social evolution. Create education that promotes sustainability. Change how you think.

Barriers to Changing How People Think Government emphasis on industrialization Belief that high standard of living equals happiness Belief that resource depletion doesn’t apply to us Cognitive dissonance Perceptions of sacrifice

Esperanza According to Esperanza’s perspective, how might the daily education of an elementary, middle, and high school student look in 2030? –How is this vision different from your primary and secondary educational experiences?