Principles of Sustainability and Systems Thinking

Sustainability can be achieved when you shift your thinking from linear to cyclical. Linear thinking is often expressed in a bar chart, a two dimensional measure of progress. The bar moves up or down, and is usually charted from left to right indicating progress over time. Progress measured in a linear perspective can rationalize a wide variety of unsustainable actions. Outsourcing IT improves your direct power consumption, but may locate that functionality in another state or country where coal supplies the power while your current source may already be migrating to wind generated power. 

What if progress was measured by our ability to sustain rather than capitalize on our resources? The initial challenge of sustainability is to make the shift from two dimensions to a multi-dimensional systems perspective. Nike, for example, could require suppliers to use environmentally friendly chemistry when silk screening graphics onto fabric. That's a good linear solution. Their preferred solution is to replace the silk screen processes with sublimation printing eliminating most of the water from the printing process, eliminating additional filtration and energy to run the filtration while improving the recyclability of the end product.

Systems thinking views the measured outcome within the larger, more complex system. The intent is to address problems in a way that does not create new problems in the future. This approach requires us to look beyond the immediate problem/solution perspective to understand the multiple connections between the parts.

Systems thinking considers the impact of actions beyond environmental, economic and social to also include time and space. Imagine the three dimensional ripple effect of your actions where nearly everything is somehow interrelated and interconnected. 

What if we measured progress by bending the bar chart arrow to come full circle? Progress would be measured by how well your actions contribute to closing the loop. Within a sustainable system, there is no beginning or end.  Success is measured by balance points, not tipping points.  If the results of your actions take you outside of the loop,  then it’s not a healthy solution.

Earth Day inspires people to do something. But are those actions linear or systemic? Are the actions linear solutions that delay or transfer the problem without really solving it? To commit to real change, look beyond the random acts of greenness. Think beyond the bar chart. Act within the balance of our system to achieve to real sustainability.

The Natural Step’s Principles of Sustainability are an excellent set of conditions to guide your systems thinking regardless of where you are along your path.