Understanding the environment: Complexity and chaos

Learn about complexity and chaos in the environment through this 12-hour course. By the end of the course, you will be able to understand the concepts of complexity and equifinality, time lags, surprises, and simulation models. You will also develop skills in exploring positive and negative feedback through system dynamics modeling, engaging with exponential human population growth models, simulating carrying capacity and limits to growth, and developing your own system dynamics diagrams. The course uses a combination of readings and activities to teach these concepts and skills. This course is intended for individuals interested in environmental studies and systems thinking.

• Introduction
• Learning outcomes
• 1 Course outline
• 1 Course outline
• 1.1 Aim
• 1.2 Readings
• 1.3 Activities
• 2 Section readings – Complexity and chaos
• 2 Section readings – Complexity and chaos
• Reading 5.1: Complexity and equifinality
• Reading 5.2: Time lags and surprises
• Reading 5.3: Freedom from our mental limitations: simulation models
• 3 Section activities
• 3 Section activities
• Activity 5A: Exploring positive and negative feedback through system dynamics modelling
• Activity 5B: Engaging with a system dynamics model of exponential human population growth (and decline)
• Activity 5C: Simulating carrying capacity and limits to growth
• Activity 5D: Simulating overshoot, collapse and regeneration
• Activity 5E: Developing your own system dynamics diagram
• Conclusion
• Glossary
• References
• Acknowledgements