Systems Thinking 101 | Anna Justice | TEDxFurmanU

Systems thinking, an integrative approach to understanding complex issues, involves viewing elements as interconnected parts of a unified whole. Systems are everywhere, existing at various scales with inputs and outputs that often create continuous feedback loops. The iceberg model helps to reveal underlying patterns and structures beyond surface events. Using causal loop diagrams, systems like the clothing industry and industrial agriculture can be analyzed to expose unintended consequences, such as clothing waste from fast fashion and soil degradation from chemical fertilizers. While systems aren't inherently right or wrong, understanding their dynamics allows for interventions to mitigate unwanted outputs and promote more sustainable outcomes.