A Leverage Points Perspective on Sustainability

Jörn Fischer; Maraja Riechers

doi:10.1002/pan3.13

A Leverage Points Perspective on Sustainability

Publikation: Beiträge in Zeitschriften › Zeitschriftenaufsätze › Forschung

Standard

A Leverage Points Perspective on Sustainability. / Fischer, Jörn ; Riechers, Maraja.
in: People and Nature, Jahrgang 1, Nr. 1, 03.2019, S. 115-120.

Publikation: Beiträge in Zeitschriften › Zeitschriftenaufsätze › Forschung

Bibtex

@article{a5732a2953a84306a223002f9278725b,

title = "A Leverage Points Perspective on Sustainability",

abstract = "Drawing on seminal work by the late Donella Meadows, we propose a leverage points perspective as a hitherto under-recognized heuristic and practical tool for sustainability science. A leverage points perspective focuses on places to intervene in complex systems to bring about transformative change. A leverage points perspective recognizes increasingly influential leverage points relating to changes in parameters, feedbacks, system design and the intent encapsulated by a given system. We discuss four key advantages of a leverage points perspective. First advantage: A leverage points perspective can bridge causal and teleological explanations of system change – that is, change is seen to arise from variables influencing one another, but also from how human intent shapes the trajectory of a system. Second advantage: A leverage points perspective explicitly recognizes influential, {\textquoteleft}deep{\textquoteright} leverage points – places at which interventions are difficult but likely to yield truly transformative change. Third advantage: A leverage points perspective enables the examination of interactions between shallow and deep system changes – sometimes, relatively superficial interventions may pave the way for deeper changes, while at other times, deeper changes may be required for superficial interventions to work. Fourth advantage: A leverage points perspective can function as a methodological boundary object – that is, providing a common entry point for academics from different disciplines and other societal stakeholders to work together. Drawing on these strengths could initiate a new stream of sustainability studies, and may yield both practical and theoretical advances. A plain language summary is available for this article.",

keywords = "Environmental planning, backcasting, scenario planning, social–ecological system, system change, transformation, transition",

author = "J{\"o}rn Fischer and Maraja Riechers",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2019 The Authors. People and Nature published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Ecological Society",

year = "2019",

month = mar,

doi = "10.1002/pan3.13",

language = "English",

volume = "1",

pages = "115--120",

journal = "People and Nature",

issn = "2575-8314",

publisher = "Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.",

number = "1",

}

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - A Leverage Points Perspective on Sustainability

AU - Fischer, Jörn

AU - Riechers, Maraja

PY - 2019/3

Y1 - 2019/3

N2 - Drawing on seminal work by the late Donella Meadows, we propose a leverage points perspective as a hitherto under-recognized heuristic and practical tool for sustainability science. A leverage points perspective focuses on places to intervene in complex systems to bring about transformative change. A leverage points perspective recognizes increasingly influential leverage points relating to changes in parameters, feedbacks, system design and the intent encapsulated by a given system. We discuss four key advantages of a leverage points perspective. First advantage: A leverage points perspective can bridge causal and teleological explanations of system change – that is, change is seen to arise from variables influencing one another, but also from how human intent shapes the trajectory of a system. Second advantage: A leverage points perspective explicitly recognizes influential, ‘deep’ leverage points – places at which interventions are difficult but likely to yield truly transformative change. Third advantage: A leverage points perspective enables the examination of interactions between shallow and deep system changes – sometimes, relatively superficial interventions may pave the way for deeper changes, while at other times, deeper changes may be required for superficial interventions to work. Fourth advantage: A leverage points perspective can function as a methodological boundary object – that is, providing a common entry point for academics from different disciplines and other societal stakeholders to work together. Drawing on these strengths could initiate a new stream of sustainability studies, and may yield both practical and theoretical advances. A plain language summary is available for this article.

AB - Drawing on seminal work by the late Donella Meadows, we propose a leverage points perspective as a hitherto under-recognized heuristic and practical tool for sustainability science. A leverage points perspective focuses on places to intervene in complex systems to bring about transformative change. A leverage points perspective recognizes increasingly influential leverage points relating to changes in parameters, feedbacks, system design and the intent encapsulated by a given system. We discuss four key advantages of a leverage points perspective. First advantage: A leverage points perspective can bridge causal and teleological explanations of system change – that is, change is seen to arise from variables influencing one another, but also from how human intent shapes the trajectory of a system. Second advantage: A leverage points perspective explicitly recognizes influential, ‘deep’ leverage points – places at which interventions are difficult but likely to yield truly transformative change. Third advantage: A leverage points perspective enables the examination of interactions between shallow and deep system changes – sometimes, relatively superficial interventions may pave the way for deeper changes, while at other times, deeper changes may be required for superficial interventions to work. Fourth advantage: A leverage points perspective can function as a methodological boundary object – that is, providing a common entry point for academics from different disciplines and other societal stakeholders to work together. Drawing on these strengths could initiate a new stream of sustainability studies, and may yield both practical and theoretical advances. A plain language summary is available for this article.

KW - Environmental planning

KW - backcasting

KW - scenario planning

KW - social–ecological system

KW - system change

KW - transformation

KW - transition

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85064834251&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1002/pan3.13

DO - 10.1002/pan3.13

M3 - Journal articles

VL - 1

SP - 115

EP - 120

JO - People and Nature

JF - People and Nature

SN - 2575-8314

IS - 1

ER -