Subject: Sustaining the Earth

Posted by Tim Joy on 4/22/2010

Message:

I once heard Jørgen Randers say that the SD (system dynamics) that produced the Limits To Growth had taken on a new understanding: in the popular mind, SD might now be understood as sustainable development. Let's face it, of those two noun phrases, sustainable development is the one we are most likely see in print or uttered from the mouth of a politician.

In honor of Earth Day, soon upon us, let's share some models - stock and flow maps, causal loop diagrams, other tools of our trade - that speak most directly of sustainability.

Sun Chips soon launches a new biodegradable bag for its product. Eat the chips, toss the bag on a compost pile, and its detritus in three weeks! What would that process look like as a stock and flow map?

Tim Joy
Portland, Oregon