Problem-Based Learning in Ecological Economics Jon D. Erickson Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources University of Vermont

Problem-Based Learning in Ecological Economics What does an ecological economist do? What approach does the ecological economist take? How do we train the ecological economist? How can the ecological economist change the world?

The ecological economist solves problems Problems that are complex  Feedbacks  Non-linear  Emergent properties  Surprise  Chaotic behavior

The ecological economist solves problems Problems not suitable for experimentation or repeatable scientific observation

The ecological economist solves problems Problems where data and ‘facts’ are scarce and uncertain

The ecological economist solves problems Problems where there is rarely a ‘right’ answer

The ecological economist solves problems Problems where the stakes are high, and decisions are urgent.

Abandoning academic autism  Autism, a disorder characterized by: Absorption in self-centered subjective mental activity (such as daydreams, fantasies, delusions, and hallucinations) Marked deficits in communication and social interaction Marked withdrawal from reality Abnormal behavior, such as... excessive attachment to certain objects To solve problems, the ecological economist is a trans-disciplinarian

Complementing disciplines Expanding role of non-scientist Problem defines methods To solve problems, the ecological economist is a trans-disciplinarian

1. Today’s problems come from yesterday’s “solutions”. 2. The harder you push, the harder a system pushes back. 3. Behavior grows better before it grows worse. 4. The easy way out usually leads back in. 5. The cure can be worse than the disease. 6. Faster is slower. 7. Cause and effect are not closely related in time and space. To solve problems, the ecological economist is a systems thinker Peter Senge, The Fifth Discipline

8. Small changes can produce big results – but the areas of highest leverage are often the least obvious. 9. You can have your cake and eat it too – but not all at once. 10. Dividing an elephant in half does not produce two small elephants. 11. There is no blame. To solve problems, the ecological economist is a systems thinker Peter Senge, The Fifth Discipline

Analysis Synthesis Communication To solve problems, the ecological economist practices...

To learn problem-solving, the ecological economist works on problems

Vermont GPI

Burlington Quality of Life % responding very important

Forest Resource Values

Winter Sport Culture, Community, and Economy Maine Winter Sports Center Mission: Reestablish skiing as a lifestyle in Maine. Leverage that lifestyle to create a new economic model for rural, isolated communities of Maine, and create opportunities for the youth of Maine.

To change the world, the ecological economist finds and uses leverage

9. Numbers 8. Material Stocks and Flows 7. Regulating Negative Feedback Loops 6. Driving Positive Feedback Loops 5. Information Flows 4. The Rules of the System 3. The Power of Self Organization 2. The Goals of the System To change the world, the ecological economist finds and uses leverage Donella Meadows, Places to Intervene in a System

1. The mindset or paradigm out of which the goals, rules, and feedback structure arises To change the world, the ecological economist finds and uses leverage Ecological Economics

Problem-Based Learning in Ecological Economics What does an ecological economist do? What approach does the ecological economist take? How do we train the ecological economist? How can the ecological economist change the world?