Introduction to Ecological Economics

The Whole System: Ecosystem Structure and Function

Module Topic:  The Current Status of Resources and Systems Thinking

 

 

 

Course Learning Outcome(s): 

1.     Formulate a whole system approach to the ecosystem structure and function.

 

 

 

 

Module Outcome(s):

 

1.     Assess the current status of the resources of nature;

2.     Develop the vocabulary and tools of systems thinking.

Activities:

1.     Reading: Chapters 5-7 in DF

2.     View Albert Bartlett lecture on Exponential Growth (yes, all 8 parts) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-QA2rkpBSY)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb3JI8F9LQQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFyOw9IgtjY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQd-VGYX3-E&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHuwgxrTKPo&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3y7UlHdhAU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyseLQVpJEI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoiiVnQadwE&feature=related

3.     Discussion board (The Whole system: Exponential growth): Find an article discussing actual or target rates of exponential growth (i.e. growth rates expressed in percentages). You might look for targeted rates of economic growth (e.g. http://www.hoover.org/publications/digest/3540771.html ), growth in energy demand, growth in health care costs or anything else.  After viewing the Bartlett lecture, post a reflection on the discussion board discussing the implications of this growth rate over the next 70 years. Include a link to the article.

4.     Reading: Chapter 3 in FED: Structuring the problem

5.     Project work: Exercise 3.1 in FED - viewing a problem from different perspectives

6.     Integrative project work: Exercise 3.2 in FED- applying the principles of systems thinking

7.     Integrative project work: Exercise 3.3 in FED - visioning exercise

8.     Project work: Prepare preliminary literature review

9.     Explore the World Without Oil website: http://worldwithoutoil.org/.  Keep track of when we hit the gasoline prices they describe.  See how the results compare with their predictions

 

 

Self Check:

Make sure you can answer the questions on the right, and understand the Ôbig ideas to rememberÕ from DF chapter 2.

Submit as Proof(s) of Learning:

Module activities 3,5,6,7,8

 For more information about this module and its contents, contact your instructor.

 

 

At the end of this section you should be able to answer the following questions:

á      Why is continuous exponential growth of any physical subsystem impossible in a finite system?

á      What are SengeÕs ÔlawsÕ of systems thinking?

á      What are emergent properties?

á      What are delays?

á      What are positive and negative feedback loops?

á      What is net return on energy invested (also known as energy return on energy invested, or EROI)?

á      What is the difference between risk, uncertainty and ignorance?

á      What is the Hubbert curve, and what does it tell us about future oil supplies?