CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION

The UK Chapter of the System Dynamics Society invites you to a network meeting on the theme of system dynamics in climate change mitigation Climate change mitigation and sustainability in general are systemic, multi-layered and wicked problems. Progress towards reducing global environmental impacts is far too slow and world greenhouse gas emissions rose unexpectedly last year. System dynamics has played a role in sustainability for decades, starting with the Limits to Growth study in the 1970s and more recently with the Climate Interactive project. While the characteristics of the mitigation problem in terms of physical stocks and flows are critical, this meeting will approach the subject from a more theoretical and higher level, exploring examples of real and perceived tensions that exist between human well-being and the health of natural systems. We will bring in concepts from critical systems thinking and social science to ask wider questions about causation.

The meeting will begin with four speakers: Prof Frank Boons will be talking on the relationship of circular economy and climate change, Dr John Broderick will be talking about his experiences in running the C-ROADS climate model, Dr Martin Reynolds from the OU will be talking about critical systems thinking and sustainability, and Dr Danial Schien will be presenting work on modelling of the carbon footprint of digital media.

There will be a plenary session in which examples of mitigation (both successful and otherwise) that are of interest to participants are identified. Groups will then explore their chosen example through causal loop diagramming and other SD related methods.

The meeting will be held on December 5th, from 1pm to 5pm, at the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change, Pariser Building, Room H18.

Attendance is free but advance booking is requested.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE.

Directions can be found for building 12 (Pariser) at:

http://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/maps/