Problem-Based Learning in Ecological Economics

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Problem-Based Learning in Ecological Economics

• Jon D. Erickson
• Rubenstein School of Environment
• and Natural Resources
• University of Vermont

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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?

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The ecological economistsolves problems

• Problems that are complex
• Feedbacks
• Non-linear
• Emergent properties
• Surprise
• Chaotic behavior

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The ecological economistsolves problems

• Problems not suitable for experimentation or
  repeatable scientific observation

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The ecological economistsolves problems

• Problems where data and facts
• are scarce and
• uncertain

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The ecological economistsolves problems

• Problems where there is rarely a right answer

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The ecological economistsolves problems

• Problems where the stakes are high, and decisions
  are urgent.

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To solve problems, the ecological economist is a
trans-disciplinarian

• 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

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To solve problems, the ecological economist is a
trans-disciplinarian

• Complementing disciplines
• Expanding role of non-scientist
• Problem defines methods

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To solve problems, the ecological economist is a
systems thinker

1. Todays problems come from yesterdays
   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.

Peter Senge, The Fifth Discipline
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To solve problems, the ecological economist is a
systems thinker

1. Small changes can produce big results but the
   areas of highest leverage are often the least
   obvious.
2. You can have your cake and eat it too but not
   all at once.
3. Dividing an elephant in half does not produce two
   small elephants.
4. There is no blame.

Peter Senge, The Fifth Discipline
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To solve problems, the ecological economist
practices . . .

• Analysis
• Synthesis
• Communication

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To learn problem-solving, the ecological
economist works on problems
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To learn problem-solving, the ecological
economist works on problems

• Vermont GPI

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• Burlington Quality of Life

responding very important
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• Forest Resource Values

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• Winter Sport Culture, Community, and Economy

Maine Winter Sports Center
Mission Reestablish skiing as a lifestyle in
Maine. Leverage that lifestyle to create a new
economic model for rural, isolated communities of
Maine, and create opportunities for the youth of
Maine.
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To change the world, the ecological economist
finds and uses leverage
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To change the world, the ecological economist
finds and uses leverage

• 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

Donella Meadows, Places to Intervene in a System
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To change the world, the ecological economist
finds and uses leverage

• 1. The mindset or paradigm out of which the
  goals, rules, and feedback structure arises

Ecological Economics
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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?