Systems Thinking Is Critical in Developing Solutions to Sustainability Challenges - Literature review Example

SYSTEMS THINKING IN SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES Name Institution Course Professor Date SYSTEMS THINKING IN SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES Introduction The current trends in the world point to an increase in challenges, especially about managing a sustainable environment. These challenges are occurring on a global perspective developing a reliance on systems thinking to generate viable solutions that are long-lasting. Jackson (2003, p. 378) addresses systemic thinking as one of the identified models in solving real-world challenges. Its relevance in the effective management of a persistent problem requires the successful integration of ideas and techniques (Jackson, 2003, 378). The imperative is the application of the model in solving wicked problems such as that of shifting to renewable sources of energy in Australia. Waddell (2016, p. 422) explains that problems requiring the collaboration of multiple organization qualify as being wicked. Through industrialization and globalization, there is a global increase in energy consumption where Australia is no exception. According to Vorrath (2017, p. 1), Australia needs to shift into renewable energy sources as a means to provide the society with affordable and reliable energy. Reliability equates to sustainability, which is crucial since current energies will retire in the near future. Therefore, the essay discusses the relevance of systems thinking in developing a solution towards the shift into renewable sources of energy in Australia. The discussion follows the topics on sustainability, systemic thinking, the wicked problem, application of systemic thinking to solving the problem, and conclusion. Sustainability Dempsey et al. (2011, p. 289) explain on the relevance of sustainability in developing policies in various areas. It is important to note that the sustainability includes the areas of environment, economy, and the society. The imperative is environmental sustainability regarding the use of renewable sources of energy otherwise referred to as the clean sources. The realization of a suitable environment acts towards the achievement of social sustainability. Both areas aim to provide conducive surroundings that support the successes of humans. Therefore, the shifting from the traditional sources of energy to the renewable forms in Australia as a necessary objective seeks to meet the needs of the present and future communities (Dempsey et al. 2011, p. 290). Moreover, it directs the needs of the people through a safe environment that promotes the quality and longevity of life. Social sustainability is dynamically influenced by the demographic changes as well as external factors (Dempsey et al. 2011, p. 292). Examples of the influential factors include economic and political crisis, social cohesion, and enhanced human interaction. The factors are especially important in urban areas where there is increased population and demand for services such as that of energy provision. More relevant to the urban areas is social equity and sustainable community within the paradigms of sustainability. Concerning equity, Dempsey et al. (2011, p. 292) identify it as the fairness in the distribution of resources and their accessibility. Comparatively, sustainable community entails the ability of the society to sustain itself at a functioning level (Dempsey et al. 2011, p. 294). Yu and Halog (2015, p. 1214) provides a discussion on a Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment study (LCSA). The study highlights the importance of the renewable sources of energy about the three pillars of sustainability. The particular study focuses on the application of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) in Australia as an effective strategy that compensates for the energy demands. The project achieves a sustainable environment through minimum air pollution (Yu & Halog 2015, p. 1233). Economically, the system performs equally to traditional models regarding the costs whereas its social impacts are considerably beneficial to other energy production means. Supporting the relevance of the shift to renewable energy sources in Australia is the discussion by (Dincer & Acar, 2015, p. 585). The discussion explains on the difficulties in managing the growing energy demands particularly regarding the constant development and population increase. Australia as a developed country with a high standard of living interprets to enhanced energy demands for both the commercial and subsistence use. As one of the countries utilizing fossil fuels, it is evident that the use of fossil fuels continues to threaten the environment, especially about the emission of pollutant gasses Dincer and Acar (2015, p. 585). Moreover, these fuels are becoming inaccessible interpreting to increased cost in their production which threatens the economic sustainability of the nation. To this extent, it is agreeable to suggest that the dependency on fossil fuels as a source of energy fails to uphold sustainability needs in Australia. Systems Thinking System thinking carries a variety of definitions that are particular to the field of study. However, the idea is the development of a system through the interlinking of relevant areas so as to achieve a comprehensive yet suitable model. Based on Arnold and Wade (2015, p. 669), the world of today follows a pattern of continuously interconnected systems. The rise of technology and the frequent changes of policies in a nation require the successful integration of more than one system to manage sustainability. Moreover, the globalization is a powerful factor that connects different systems of various nations. Therefore, through the application of system thinking, individual manage to understand and predict the patterns of these systems which provide a better management of the future (Arnold & Wade, 2015, p. 670). Arnold and Wade (2015, p. 670) defines a system as that which comprises of independent items joined together in producing one whole. Therefore, the employment of system thinking becomes apparent in understanding each of these independent subjects and how a change in one affects the whole. Arnold and Wade (2015, p. 670) proceeds to provide the essential components of systems thinking including the characteristics of the components, interrelations, and their functionality. The imperative in managing the wicked problems is the purpose which allows the making of parallel goals towards its efficient management. Figure 1 provides a diagrammatic representation of the systemic thinking elements. Fig 1: Systems Thinking Components Jackson (2003, p. 378) provides a comparison of the evolutions of systems thinking and its application in solving the wicked problems. Hard system thinking applied the mechanism of the model of operational research, systems engineering, and system analysis. The three models provide the benefits of increased performance of a system, especially about the fulfillment of its goals. However, as a model, it carried some disadvantages with an example of its inability to handle complex challenges. In particular, the issues surrounding the word today are enormous and dynamic. Therefore, the sole application of the methodologies of the hard system thinking fails to adequately respond to the current situation in Australia. Jackson (2003, p. 378) identifies yet another model of systems thinking known as the applied systemic thinking. Its development was an outcome of managing the short-comings of the hard system. The applied systemic thinking is currently on use following its better performance compared to the hard model in managing a series of interconnecting challenges. The Wicked Problem As previously identified, the shift to renewable sources of energy in Australia remains one of the complex problems requiring urgent addressing. According to Williams and Williams (2014, p. 232), climatic changes today point to the need to realize effective methods of managing available resources and energy. Similarly, Byrnes et al. (2013, p. 711) agree on the necessity of developing renewable sources of energy in Australia as a means to curb the growing climatic changes and attaining energy security. The imperative is the impact of human-induced climate change, especially about the mining of fossil fuels to generate energy. It is evident that these fuels contain more carbon who emission contributes to the global warming (Williams & Williams 2014, p.232). In regards to Byrnes et al. (2013, p. 711), Australia’s electricity generation amounts to a total of 38% emission. Moreover, the abundance of resources such as coal and gas contribute to the much exploitation of the fossil fuels as the primary source of energy in the country. Consequently, following the global sensitization regarding environmental impacts of fossil fuels and the rise of sustainability policies, it becomes necessary to revise the impacts of these fuels to the Australian environment. An important area of consideration towards the achievement of a sustainable environment through renewable energy sources involves the indulgence of the policy makers. Simpson and Clifton (2014, p. 128) the policies aim to provide a directive towards the ultimate shift to the renewable energy. Moreover, the policies generate a means to reduce the emission through generate alternative forms of clean energy. Nevertheless, the implementation of these policies faces the challenge of political difference, with the policy makers supporting or opposing their implementation towards sustainability. Mey and Hicks (2015, p.1) the community is a significant factor to consider in managing the shift to renewable energies. The importance of the community contribution stems from observing the changes in the social, technical, political and environment. According to Mey and Hicks (2015, p.1), the Australian community has been a critical force in encouraging the use of renewable energy sources as an alternative to achieve a sustainable environment. The participation of the community towards the problem is an outcome of the dynamism in policies by the government which fails to successfully implement the ideas and creativity of the public. Moreover, Mey and Hicks (2015, p.1) identifies the creation of the Community Renewable Energy (CRE) as a system applying systemic thinking towards managing the complexity of the shift. Application of Systems Thinking in Renewable Energy Echoing the necessity for Australia to utilize the renewable sources of energy, Effendi and Courvisanos (2012, p. 245) explains that renewable energy is the only existing viable solutions for the Australian people. It is estimated that by the year 2040, these energy forms of wind, solar, hydro, and bioenergy will contribute to about 60% of the electricity in Australia. Comparatively, the Clean Energy Council (2015, p. 6) identifies a progress of 14.6% by the year 2015. According to the Clean Energy Council (2015, p. 4), the particular success is an outcome of the use of battery storage, reduction in the cost of the production, and stability in policies. Moreover, there is a projected increase in the total energies from these renewable sources in line with the 2020 targets of the Renewable Energy Target (RET). The model of systems thinking establishes the importance of creative thinking in generating appropriate ideas to tackle the problem. Based on Arnold and Wade (2015, p. 669) it is the responsibility of those in decision-making roles to acquire a strong foundation regarding system thinking. In the case of renewable energy as a viable alternative in Australia, the primary people to manage its application are the policies makers holding positions in the office. Through the model, the individuals may perform research on ways to cut down the cost of production through investments as a means to encourage the surplus form of energy. Systemic thinking emphasizes the need to learn a new way of managing the interdependencies (Arnold & Wade, 2015, p. 669). New ways imply more creativity of realizing more sources of clean energy that meet the criteria on sustainability. Moreover, it is the responsibility for the entire community of Australia to work together both at the local and national levels in managing to integrate these sources into use. In this case, the application of a holistic approach towards the energy system is likely to realize the generation of sufficient energy according to the estimates of the RET. Conclusion Australia has the potential of managing the realization of a shift to more renewable sources of energy. The move is necessary since the global climatic changes and an increase in energy consumption make the traditional sources unreliable and inaccessible. The imperative is the achievement of environmental sustainability through clean energy sources a vision only attainable through the application of systemic thinking in generating renewable energies. The imperative is the complexity about the shift, especially regarding the various systems that need appropriate interconnection in achieving the desired goal. The particular stakeholders include the government the policy makers, environmental conservationist, the public, and the investors. Nevertheless, the provision of a suitable solution solely relies on the adaptability of the systems thinking. The model acts to accommodate the ideas of the different stakeholders, particularly about tapping creativity. Moreover, it promotes the development of policies against the use of fossil fuels in the protection of the environment. References Arnold, R.D. and Wade, J.P., 2015. A definition of systems thinking: a systems approach. Procedia computer science, vol. 44, pp.669-678. Byrnes, L., Brown, C., Foster, J. and Wagner, L.D., 2013. Australian renewable energy policy: Barriers and challenges. Renewable Energy, vol. 60, pp.711-721. Clean Energy Council., 2015. Clean Energy Australia Report 2015. [online] Available at: https://www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/policy-advocacy/reports/clean-energy-australia-report.html [Accessed 6 Apr. 2017]. Dempsey, N., Bramley, G., Power, S. and Brown, C., 2011. The social dimension of sustainable development: Defining urban social sustainability. Sustainable development, vol.19, no.5, pp.289-300. Dincer, I. and Acar, C., 2015. A review on clean energy solutions for better sustainability. International Journal of Energy Research, vol.39, no. 5, pp.585-606. Effendi, P. and Courvisanos, J., 2012. Political aspects of innovation: Examining renewable energy in Australia. Renewable Energy, vol.38, no.1, pp.245-252. Jackson, M.C., 2003. Systems thinking: Creative holism for managers. Chichester: Wiley. Mey, F. and Hicks, J., 2015, June. Community renewable energy in Australia: exploring its character & emergence in the context of climate change action. In 5th EMES International Research Conference on Social Enterprise. Helsinki, pp.1-24. Simpson, G. and Clifton, J., 2014. Picking winners and policy uncertainty: Stakeholder perceptions of Australia's Renewable Energy Target. Renewable Energy, vol. 67, pp.128-135. Vorrath, S., 2017. Energy Australia boss says shift to renewables “a reality”, need for plan “urgent”. [online] reneweconomy.com. Available at: http://reneweconomy.com.au/energyaustralia-boss-says-shift-renewables-reality-need-plan-urgent-79514/ [Accessed 6 Apr. 2017]. Waddell, S., 2016. Societal Change Systems: A Framework to Address Wicked Problems. The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, vol.52, no.4, pp.422-449. Williams, J.V. and Williams, J.B., 2014. The Political Economy of Renewable Energy Generation in Australia. Opportunities for the Critical Decade: Enhancing well-being within Planetary Boundaries, pp. 232-242. Yu, M. and Halog, A., 2015. Solar photovoltaic development in Australia—a life cycle sustainability assessment study. Sustainability, vol.7, no.2, pp.1213-1247. Read More