1. Problem-Based Learning in Ecological Economics Jon D. Erickson Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources University of Vermont

2. Problem-Based Learning in Ecological 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?

3. The ecological economist solves problems Problems that are complex  Feedbacks  Non-linear  Emergent properties  Surprise  Chaotic behavior

4. The ecological economist solves problems Problems not suitable for experimentation or repeatable scientific observation

5. The ecological economist solves problems Problems where data and ‘facts’ are scarce and uncertain

6. The ecological economist solves problems Problems where there is rarely a ‘right’ answer

7. The ecological economist solves problems Problems where the stakes are high, and decisions are urgent.

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

9. Complementing disciplines Expanding role of non-scientist Problem defines methods To solve problems, the ecological economist is a trans-disciplinarian

10. 1. Today’s problems come from yesterday’s “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. To solve problems, the ecological economist is a systems thinker Peter Senge, The Fifth Discipline

11. 8. Small changes can produce big results – but the areas of highest leverage are often the least obvious. 9. You can have your cake and eat it too – but not all at once. 10. Dividing an elephant in half does not produce two small elephants. 11. There is no blame. To solve problems, the ecological economist is a systems thinker Peter Senge, The Fifth Discipline

12. Analysis Synthesis Communication To solve problems, the ecological economist practices...

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

14. Vermont GPI

15. Burlington Quality of Life % responding very important

16. Forest Resource Values

17. 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.

18. To change the world, the ecological economist finds and uses leverage

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

20. 1. The mindset or paradigm out of which the goals, rules, and feedback structure arises To change the world, the ecological economist finds and uses leverage Ecological Economics

21. Problem-Based Learning in Ecological 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?