In this age of specialization and advanced technology, it’s tempting to zero in on a problem, “solve” it and then leave the rest to another expert. We now know that such a narrow-minded strategy simply doesn’t work. Instead, what is called for at this critically important time in human history is the opposite: a systems thinking approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of all people and of all global problems. This perspective offers us a starting point; the only principle we can then follow is one of sustainability. The only “answer” is one that doesn’t create new problems but rather searches for underlying causes and their links across the spectrum of issues and finally rests on common ground.

Easier said than done. If we’re not careful we could spend the rest of our lives in an interesting but unproductive exploration of cause and effect, an analysis of all the vicious cycles plaguing the world. The only way to resist such a fruitless pursuit is to weave action into every step of the investigation and to follow a process similar to the one used in these papers. If we understand that our every action reverberates throughout the universe, we won’t be tempted down the path of a too narrowly focused specialization.

Let’s practice this new approach to global problem solving by grappling with a specific case study. Eventually we’ll get into the habit of exploring each issue with these new eyes until the process becomes second nature to us. Much of what we’re talking about is change: first observing it happen and then measuring its effects as it ripples from point to point and finally identifying opportunities for action at each of those points. Each projected change should be accompanied by at least two questions:

1) Is it sustainable?
2) Will it benefit the majority of the stakeholders?

For our practice case study we will explore the hypothetical building of a new road in the rural area of a developing country. The simple act of building a road or upgrading a highway carries with it unexpected impacts, some of them positive and others negative. By exploring these impacts as they relate to specific global issues, we may in fact be able to minimize the potential damage and foster positive growth. Whether the highway is built to link rural communities in Africa or to serve a new subdivision in suburban United States, it brings with it significant change.

Population: The new road will serve existing populations well and bring with it services that eventually improve quality of life and may help to stabilize family size. On the other hand, the road will also facilitate movement to the city and huge shifts in population as a result.
Rich-Poor Gap: The new road will invariably facilitate trade, enabling producers to get their goods to market and to import essential and non-essential consumer goods cheaply and efficiently. On the other hand, potentially negative influences of globalization will be transmitted more quickly to rural economies via this same road.
Health: Health care can be delivered more quickly and consistently through primary health care services. However, increased communication brings with it the threat of disease and other negative outside influences.
Environment: The natural world suffers the most from highway development both in terms of habitat destruction and air pollution resulting from new or increased traffic. However, it is also true that thoughtfully planned highway systems can help to preserve and protect natural systems.
Energy: The woman who spends hours gathering wood for cooking fires may appreciate the greater availability of new kinds of fuel, but traffic on the new road will use e scarce, non-renewable energy to get there.
Food & Water Security: A new road makes it easier to get food and maybe even water. It certainly opens doors of availability that previously were closed. But this same highway also increases pressure on the local farmer to replace subsistence crops with cash crops, threatening his or her self-sufficiency of food production.

Peace & Conflict: The new road will certainly improve communication between communities and facilitate the work of police and army. However, open communication also makes it easier for armed groups to take over control of those communities.

Governance: Infrastructure is a key piece in the extension of government services to all of the citizens of a nation. Roads are the lifeblood of a healthy democratic civil society, but they only make the work easier of an unprincipled leader bent on bringing groups of people under his or her control.

The focus in the above exercise is a rural community in the developing world but it could just as easily be a suburb in the United States. In this example, the construction of a new road brings with it some obvious advantages but also initiates changes that will have an irrevocable impact on the communities served by it. We would rarely argue that the road shouldn’t be built, but we must give equal consideration to both the positive and negative impacts of the road. That’s where this process can play an important role, not only in the way we look at change but also in the way we react or act concerning it. Each negative consequence is a call to action; and we now know that action on any one of those issues will automatically inform and influence the others. So our approach is hardly anti-change, rather thoughtful and measured change accompanied by appropriate action.

This approach is innovative mostly in the sense that it is an invitation to become involved in fostering sustainable development throughout the world. The invitation is addressed to every citizen of the world who will benefit from wise action, and suffer from apathy or unskillful action. We have the tools at our disposal to create a world that represents our highest aspirations. It’s up to each of us individually and as a community to make the choices and take the actions to create a future we want for ourselves and for future generations.

What choices and actions will you take?

To learn more about actions that you can take today to make a positive impact in your community and the world, visit our Service Learning section.

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