Wicked Problem and Systems Thinking - Renewable Sources of Energy - Coursework Example

Systems Thinking Name: Institution: Course: Lecturer: Date: Introduction Modern times are coupled with complexity and dynamism. The challenges that people face today entail interdependent structures, numerous factors and are generally the result of past actions. Such challenges are difficult to resolve and the conventional solutions taken up often leads to unintended consequences. Wicked Problem and Systems Thinking Systems thinking approach normally delve on the whole system; that is, how the individual parts interrelate as well as how interconnections create new patterns. The tools behind systems approach mandate us to map and explore the dynamic complexity. This means that with a thorough comprehension of systems, it becomes easier to identify leverage points which lead to the expected results and thus avoiding negative consequences. Environmental challenges are often classified as wicked problem. This is due to their complexity and difficulty in defining their nature. For instance, finding accurate answers to current issues surrounding climate change, loss of biodiversity and equitable distribution of resources, proves a difficult task. Ecosystem approach then incorporates systems thinking in order to ascertain how the ecosystem operates. Importance of Renewable Sources of Energy Shifting to more renewable sources of energy in Australia is very important. The production of energy in Australia and the eventual use results to massive environmental problems. Apparently, energy is considered the largest contributor to worldwide production of greenhouse gases. Moreover, transport emissions contribute significantly to urban air pollution. Energy projects can yield negative impact to the country’s air, biodiversity, noise level and heritage, as well as water quality; meaning that they needs to be efficiently managed. Therefore, new and modern renewable energy technologies meet up these challenges. Three-Pillar Model of Sustainability The three-pillar model of sustainability is a powerful tool that defines complete sustainability problem. The model consists of three distinct pillars that is, economic, social as well as environmental pillars. In case one of the pillars turns out to be weak, the whole system ends up being unsustainable. It is often than not that one pillar is used at a time to solve national and international problems. For instance UNEP (United Nation Environmental Program), EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and other environmental NGOs (Non Governmental Organizations) employ environmental pillar. The WTO (World Trade Organization) and OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) utilise both economic and social pillars in tackling economic challenges and social challenges (such as war eradication and justice). The UN (United Nations) normally strikes a balance in using the three pillars. The largest and the main system is the environment. It contains human system which in turn has two sub-systems; that is, social and economic. When groups of individual either in a tribe or nation draw a consensus to form one government, they come up with a social contract aimed at boosting their welfare. This resultant contract binds both social as well as economic systems of people together. The social sub-system work together with the central government to optimize their use of economic system’s output. Gauging on how the system works, environmental sustainability derive the highest priority. This is because the environment determines common good produced by social system and the less output that economic system can produce. The use of renewable energy is directly related to the three pillar model of sustainability. This arises from the fact that people utilise natural resources without considering that resources are not unlimited. The universe should hence be protected from massive economic and social exploitation coupled with massive neglect. Is Shifting to Sustainable Renewable Energy a Wicked Problem? The components revolving renewable energy warrant the issue to be regarded as a wicked problem. This is far much in respect to contradictory knowledge revolving it, number of individuals, opinions involved, the economic burden and interconnection of the challenge with others. Moreover, the issue of renewable energy has the following properties; Unintended consequences – without consideration of geo-engineering, we still need to be wary of surprises. This is especially in regard to low-density production schemes involving large transformations such as massive solar energy and wind farms. Numerous explanations – the issue is wicked since it contains substantial number of explanations which are indeed relevant and could materially impact the solution. For instance, the mere realization that waste as well as inefficiency is significant might lead to product parameters which results to lower figure as per-capita energy requirements. Uncertainty and long-term focus – tackling of clean energy problems requires widespread acceptance and understanding. This includes support from the government which must be convinced that the level of uncertainty in the solution found calls for tolerance. Successful address of the problem utilise time and resources while adopting innovative approaches which may lead to failure or need for policy overhaul or adjustment. Input of stakeholders and the public – shifting to renewable energy is imperfectly understood. This makes it prudent for involvement of stakeholders with a view of instigating thorough comprehension of its complexity and interconnections. The view and behaviour of people needs to be changed. However, such changes cannot easily be imposed on the public. The overall behaviour is more conducive towards change if key issue is broadly understood, discussed and owned by the public whose conduct is being targeted. Comprehension of change of behaviour by policy-makers – this needs to be the key policy revolving shifting to cleaner energy. This is because influencing human behaviour is a very complex affair. The traditional policy instruments such as rules and regulations, taxes, legislation and subsidies need to be an integral part of the entire strategy aimed at achieving widespread as well as sustainable behavioural change. However, the effectiveness behind it might be limited in absence of additional tools as well as understanding of how to engage the public in a cooperative behavioural change. Holistic thinking instead of linear thinking – holistic thinking has a magnitude of grasping the whole picture which includes interrelationships between full ranges of fundamental factors underlying the problem. Traditional linear approaches are inadequate in addressing complex issues such as renewable energy since linear thinking lacks basis of addressing their complexity, interconnections as well as uncertainty. The danger behind it could be when the issue is handled narrowly. The other major shortcoming behind traditional approach is the limited capacity in handling social complexity of the issue at hand. This is because such an issue requires input of a number of stakeholders whilst the process calls for involvement, commitment as well as perfect coordination between stakeholders and the organisations. Barriers to Sustainable Renewable Energy One failure of renewable energy sources in Australia has emanated from capital. This entails upfront cash for acquisitioning required facilities such as wind turbines. More to this is about law and regulations instilled to prevent fraud-rent activities which make pooling capital extremely difficult for concerned local power investors. The federal and state governments of Australia introduced compliance costs that have implications that hamper efforts to generate community capital. Another failure which has hampered shifting to renewable energy is tradition. There has been a 20th century tradition of connecting large-scale power plants to power consumers through a one-way grid. Therefore, the well curved policies aimed at mandating implementation of solar and wind energy has negatively been affected in higher proportions because of the existing traditions. The other barrier is the cash flow. In the United States for example the renewable energy policy is a combination of incentives, rebates as well as bill credits which tends to be more challenging. Initiating an idea of pooling the revenue streams together with a view of getting a reasonable project with good payback is a great challenge. Application of Systems thinking in resolving the Barriers The embracement of renewable energy sources projects affects livelihood of rural communities in different levels; that is economically, socially as well as environmentally. The interaction and interdependence of these factors leads to complexity that impedes people’s perception regarding benefits or drawback of projects inhibiting their acceptance and or rejection. A thorough understanding of dynamic as well as systemic nature behind the phenomenon is paramount as far as implementation of renewable energy systems is concerned. In reference to the challenges discussed, systems thinking is utilised to solve wicked problem in five steps as follows; Breaking down the information into nodes – the units of information can comprise of objects or concepts. The connections and interrelation of the nodes is then ascertained by drawing up links. Visualizing Information – this entails visualizing placing the available information into physical space. This assists the concerned persons to fully comprehend the system as well as interrelationship existing within. Collaboration and input of Stakeholders – this involves sharing the model with others, exchanging ideas and growing them. The process entails creating physical drawings as well as grouping notes to come up with different system models that mandate concerned parties to synthesize divergent points of view. Release of solution and Feedback gathering – gathering successful feedback helps in finding answers to wicked problems. The more feedback is gathered from stakeholders and external sources the more foundation is laid to move to the next step. Iterate – this allows the concerned parties to utilize gathered feedback and make changes and additions for improving the acquired solution to the wicked problem. Conclusion The properties of wicked problem show how the problem is contradictory and incomplete, hence difficult to solve. Similarly, renewable energy which is an important component in the Australian economy contains properties that qualify it to be categorised as wicked problem. In this respect, modern tools such as the three pillars model of sustainability are used to define sustainability problem and barriers to sustainable renewable energy. In order to successfully solve the problem, system thinking is applied. System thinking gives an understanding of the whole system which makes it easier to identify key points that evade problems and yield the desired results. Read More