Chapter 8

Catastrophe Theory

Modelling catastrophic change The simplest mathematical equation that represents bifurcations and catastrophic change is a first order differential equation of the form: (eqn. 1)   Solving for the attractors (dX/dt = 0), it is seen that one root is X = 0 and it represents a globally unstable attractor and the other two roots are [...]

By |2024-02-06T11:19:45+00:00July 2nd, 2023|Chapter 13, Chapter 8, Chapter 9|0 Comments

Acquiring knowledge: strong and weak knowledge

It is a very fundamental principle indeed that Knowledge is always gained by the orderly loss of information, that is, by condensing and abstracting and indexing the great buzzing confusion of information that comes from the world around us into a form which we can appreciate and comprehend. (K. Boulding) How do humans acquire knowledge? [...]

By |2024-02-17T14:52:04+00:00June 15th, 2023|Chapter 8|0 Comments

Analogs and metaphors 

In an abstract scientific sense, modelling is a coding process and creates a relation between a ‘natural’ and a ‘formal’ system (Figure 1a; Rosen 1985). As scientists refine existing and construct new theories, there may (temporarily) be two different formal systems to describe the same natural system. An example of such complementarity is the wave [...]

By |2024-02-06T11:21:05+00:00June 14th, 2023|Chapter 8|0 Comments

Catastropic change in (eco)systems: case-studies

There are some empirical, illustrative case-studies in which catastrophic did happen. The first classical example is the interactive dynamics between the spruce budworm, its predators and the boreal forest  in North America (Holling 1986; Meadows 2008). When the budworm became a ‘pest’ and northern forests were sprayed with the insecticide known as DDT to control [...]

By |2024-02-07T16:07:17+00:00June 14th, 2023|Chapter 13, Chapter 8, Chapter 9|0 Comments

Free energy flow density as a measure of complexity

The astrophysicist Chaisson (2001) has proposed an interesting link between energy and complexity. Organisms can be viewed as dissipative structures: Ordered objects whose structure can be maintained thanks to a steady input of high-quality energy. The free energy flow density (ɸ) necessary to sustain such a non-equilibrium structure is a measure of complexity. It can [...]

By |2023-12-09T17:21:01+00:00July 13th, 2020|Chapter 17, Chapter 8|0 Comments

Syndromes: in search of generic patterns of vulnerability and resilience

A fragmented, disciplinary approach does not work in sustainability science. A broader perspective transcending disciplinary boundaries is needed. One framework to investigate global change phenomena in such a broader, problem-oriented setting is the syndrome approach, originally proposed by the German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU 1994) and later conceptualised and developed at the Potsdam [...]

By |2023-12-09T17:24:58+00:00November 8th, 2019|Chapter 11, Chapter 8|0 Comments

A simple introduction to system dynamics for sustainability – a report by Hördur Haraldson

We humans make mental ‘maps’ of processes around us in order to live and survive. Many of those maps are simplified, based on a limited set of acquired habits and experienced events. The maps also tend to assume single and linear relationships between causes and effects. Assuming that more cars (A) cause more traffic accidents [...]

By |2024-02-22T10:24:29+00:00August 29th, 2016|Book Reviews, Chapter 8, Chapter 9|0 Comments

System dynamics for real-world complexity: a book by Erik Pruyt

In 2013, Dr. Erik Pruyt (Delft Technical University) has released a book on system dynamics, titled Small System Dynamics Models for Big Issues: Triple Jump towards Real-World Complexity. It is set up as an interactive and flexible learning tool. The System Dynamics (SD) methodology is introduced with qualitative exercises in which short descriptive texts are, [...]

By |2024-02-17T14:28:09+00:00August 29th, 2016|Book Reviews, Chapter 8, Chapter 9|0 Comments

Games for sustainability education, research and policy

One way to explore integration of the natural and the social sciences is the construction and use of simulation games and policy exercises (cf. Chapter 10 and 12). Since 2013 several websites have come online about games for sustainability. Some of these are (very) simple games about public goods, used in what has become known [...]

By |2024-01-18T10:54:18+00:00June 20th, 2016|Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Website Reviews|0 Comments
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