How to Solve a Wicked Problem: An Introduction to 环境, 社会 和 Sustainability

What might a new normal—one that respects the Earth 和 all of its inhabitants—look like? How can we use our knowledge of the world 和 its physical 和 social complexities to design better systems 和 communities? 从哪里开始改变?? These are just of the few questions that I grappled with in working towards writing a undergraduate textbook on sustainability. 整个夏天, I worked in coordination with Professors of Geography Paul Sutton 和 Helen Hazen as a co-author in writing a textbook titled An Introduction to 环境, 社会 和 Sustainability that will be used for the ‘Introduction to Sustainability’ course offered in the department of Geography 和 the 环境. This involved conducting research to write two individual chapters, 组织引用, creating 和/or obtaining appropriate figures, 构建术语表, 和 developing discussion questions 和 learning outcomes for each chapter.

This book takes a new approach to compelling contemporary questions regarding the inter-related issues of population, 社会正义, 和 environmental sustainability using the framework of what are known as “wicked problems.” The idea of a “wicked problem” means that environmental issues are so complex 和 involve so many stakeholders that they require an underst和ing of systems at a broad variety of scales if they are to be addressed. 例如, instead of focusing on simple solutions such as recycling, composting 和 renewable energy, this book will look to push towards broader economic, 政治, 社会系统变化. Sustainability requires a complex 和 interdisciplinary approach, 和 this book aims to highlight the importance of systems thinking to develop solutions for the future. The project culminated in a full draft of the textbook including 13 chapters of 7,000-8,000 words per chapter (about 100,000 words total) which has an expected publication date later this year.