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Problem-Based Learning in Ecological Economics
Jon D. EricksonRubenstein School of Environment and Natural ResourcesUniversity of Vermont
Problem-Based Learning inEcological Economics
What does an ecological economist do? What approach does the ecological
economist take? How do we train the ecological economist? How can the ecological economist change
the world?
The ecological economistsolves problems
Problems that are complex Feedbacks Non-linear Emergent
properties Surprise Chaotic
behavior
The ecological economistsolves problems
Problems not suitable for experimentation or repeatable scientific observation
VALUES
ORGANIZATIONKNOWLEDGE
ENVIRONMENT TECHNOLOGY
The ecological economistsolves problems
Problems where data and ‘facts’are scarce anduncertain
The ecological economistsolves problems
Problems where there is rarely a ‘right’ answer
The ecological economistsolves problems
Problems where the stakes are high, and decisions are urgent.
Abandoning academic autism Autism, a disorder characterized by:
Absorption in self-centered subjective mental activity (such as daydreams, fantasies, delusions, and hallucinations)
Marked deficits in communication and social interaction
Marked withdrawal from reality Abnormal behavior, such as . . . excessive attachment
to certain objects
To solve problems, the ecological economist is a trans-disciplinarian
Complementing disciplines Expanding role of non-scientist Problem defines methods
To solve problems, the ecological economist is a trans-disciplinarian
1. Today’s problems come from yesterday’s “solutions”.
2. The harder you push, the harder a system pushes back.
3. Behavior grows better before it grows worse.4. The easy way out usually leads back in.5. The cure can be worse than the disease.6. Faster is slower.7. Cause and effect are not closely related in time
and space.
To solve problems, the ecological economist is a systems thinker
Peter Senge, The Fifth Discipline
8. Small changes can produce big results – but the areas of highest leverage are often the least obvious.
9. You can have your cake and eat it too – but not all at once.
10. Dividing an elephant in half does not produce two small elephants.
11. There is no blame.
To solve problems, the ecological economist is a systems thinker
Peter Senge, The Fifth Discipline
Analysis Synthesis Communication
To solve problems, the ecological economist practices . . .
To learn problem-solving, the ecological economist works on problems
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
14,000
16,000
18,000
20,000
1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000
Year
$/capita
Burlington
Chittenden
Vermont
US
To learn problem-solving, the ecological economist works on problems
Vermont GPI
11-111-2
8-1
8-2
10-1
10-2
9-19-29-3
7-1
7-2
6-16-2
4-1
4-34-2
5-1
5-2
5-3
3-1
3-2
1-1
1-2
2-1
2-2
2-32-4
Burlington Quality of Life
Built12%
Natural27%
Human27%
Social34%
% responding very important
WHITE
State of Vermont Forest Resource Values
Winter Sport Culture, Community, and Economy
Maine Winter Sports Center
Mission:
Reestablish skiing as alifestyle in Maine.
Leverage that lifestyle to createa new economic model for rural,isolated communities of Maine,
and create opportunities forthe youth of Maine.
To change the world, the ecological economist finds and uses leverage
Stock
C1
C2
Out
In
Socio-Economic Sub-Model
GIS Land-Use Sub-Model
EcosystemSub-Model
Sectoral_Economic_Decline
Land_Demand
Growth
Land_Reclamation
Ecosystem_Impact
Scenerios
Scenerios
Land_Biophysical_Characteristics
Land_Use_Location
Land_Use_Type Land_Biophysical_Characteristics
Land_Development_Loading Aquatic_Dynamics
Physicochemical_Parameters
Biotic_Integrity Functional_Integretity
Ecosystem_Impact
Storm_Events Water_Flow
Building
Land_Built
Land_Demand
Sectoral_Economic_Growth
SAM_Multipliers
Scenerios
Loss
Population
Land_Use_Location
Land_Use_Type
Buildable_Land
Land_Use_Zoning
Geophysical_Attibutes
Real_Estate_Attributes
Total_Land_Inventory
9. Numbers
8. Material Stocks and Flows
7. Regulating Negative Feedback Loops
6. Driving Positive Feedback Loops
5. Information Flows
4. The Rules of the System
3. The Power of Self Organization
2. The Goals of the System
To change the world, the ecological economist finds and uses leverage
Donella Meadows, Places to Intervene in a System
1. The mindset or paradigm out of which the goals, rules, and feedback structure arises
To change the world, the ecological economist finds and uses leverage
Ecological Economics
Problem-Based Learning inEcological Economics
What does an ecological economist do? What approach does the ecological
economist take? How do we train the ecological economist? How can the ecological economist change
the world?