Setting the Scene: Viewing the World as Interconnected Systems

Abstract

This chapter gives a conceptual overview for viewing the world as interconnected systems. Systems have interconnected stock and flows, and change in one part of the system has nonlinear effects on the whole system due to causes and effects that can be mapped. The systems that are outlined are the Earth system, the economic system, the financial system, the education system, and the innovation system. Other systems that are briefly mentioned include the food system, the biological system, the climate system, and community systems. All of these systems (and more) are interconnected in a complex manner, and to achieve a regenerative global system, it is not enough to focus in our education system on environmental and sustainability literacy but on an overarching transformation literacy as outlined in this book. Thus, due to of the interconnectedness of the various systems, holistic education and environmental policy making alone will not achieve the transformations called for.