Using Systems Thinking for Climate Change

It can be useful to approach the climate crisis with a particular mindset or theory. In this blog, we outline the concept of systems thinking and how it can be used in relation to climate change.

What is systems thinking?

Systems thinking is a way of viewing the world as interconnected and dynamic. It views different systems in a holistic manner and holds the belief that different parts of the system would act differently if isolated from one another. In other words, the actions of one system are dependent on the others.

If you use systems thinking, you will understand the natural, social and economic worlds as interrelated and constantly changing. Human beings are part of this system rather than separate from it, which is why we are so deeply connected to the health of our environment and our atmosphere.

Why should we apply systems thinking to climate change?

Some scientists believe that a systems thinking approach will help support public understanding of climate change.

This is because it helps people understand that our present climate has been shaped by systems over many years, from politics and economics to culture and geochemistry. Every action that is taken will have side effects and this is what makes life on earth so complex, but also means we have a duty to protect our planet rather than destroying it.

Those who score higher on systems thinking are more likely to understand that global warming is happening and human-caused.

Tipping points can also be thought of in terms of a systems approach. When too many things are out of balance, certain effects of the climate crisis become accelerated and can reach a point of no return. One such example is the destruction of the Amazon rainforest, which has historically been an important carbon sink, but is now being burned and destroyed at such a rate that some parts are producing more carbon than they can store.

Research by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication found that those who score higher on systems thinking are more likely to understand that global warming is happening and human-caused.

They are also more likely to worry about it, view it as a serious threat and/or value it as a personally important issue.

They argue that the results demonstrate that we should be using systems thinking to enhance public understanding of climate science via an ecological worldview that the natural world should be valued and cared for.

If people begin to use systems thinking, understanding that everything is connected and their actions have an impact, this could promote environmental values as well as a greater understanding of the climate crisis.

It is also through systems thinking that we can make serious global policies to tackle the climate crisis. It can allow us to understand how much impact we are having, with carbon emissions for example, and therefore how much we need to reduce them by in order to restore balance to our systems.

Another great way to help spread the word about the climate crisis is to show people simple changes they can make in their daily lives – as systems thinking says, all our actions are part of interconnected worlds and can have an impact! If you already use SearchScene, please consider recommending it to friends and family or leaving us a review. If you don’t already use it, why not give SearchScene a try?