{"id":3478,"date":"2025-12-01T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thefifthelement.earth\/staging\/?post_type=opinion&#038;p=3478"},"modified":"2026-02-18T14:16:43","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T14:16:43","slug":"systems-thinking-the-key-to-solving-interconnected-crises","status":"publish","type":"opinion","link":"https:\/\/thefifthelement.earth\/staging\/opinion\/systems-thinking-the-key-to-solving-interconnected-crises\/","title":{"rendered":"Systems thinking: the key to solving interconnected crises"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Have you ever tried to solve a puzzle with only one piece in your hand? It is impossible to know the full picture if you only focus on one part. You might guess at the image, but without seeing how the other pieces fit together, your understanding will always be incomplete. This is the same challenge we face when looking at problems in the world. We often focus on one small part, but the real solutions only come when we step back and look at the whole puzzle. Or in our case, systems, this is what systems thinking is all about.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Why everything is connected | Voices on systems thinking (Part 1)\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/HubVaxH5XAs?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https:\/\/thefifthelement.earth\/staging\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why it matters<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The world\u2019s challenges do not sit neatly in boxes. Climate change cannot be solved by looking at carbon emissions alone. Global health cannot be fixed by treating one disease while ignoring poverty, food security and education. When we think in narrow ways, we risk missing the bigger picture.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Systems thinking asks us to see how different parts connect. It pushes us to recognise that one decision in one area will ripple into another. For example, when we buy clothes, it is not only about fashion or price. It is also about the resources used to make the fabric, the labour conditions in factories, the transport that brings the items to shops and what happens when the clothes are thrown away. Each part matters because it is linked, forming a chain of impact that affects people, the planet and the economy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Having a holistic view of a system, whether big or small, enables us to understand interdependencies, anticipate consequences and act more systemically. It helps navigate complexity and foster transformative change. This is why many members of The Club of Rome describe systems thinking as a powerful tool. We asked them to share their reflections on what this approach means to them. Their perspectives vary, yet all echoed a common message: we must move beyond silos and start seeing the bigger picture.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Voices from The Club of Rome<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clubofrome.org\/member\/mortensen-lars-fogh\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lars Mortensen<\/a>, an expert in circular economy, textiles and the wellbeing economy, systems thinking starts with something tangible: the value chain. \u201cIt\u2019s about following a product from production to consumption to disposal,\u201d he says and then asks what happens to the waste left behind. To him, the goal is simple but radical, treat the whole system, not its isolated parts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clubofrome.org\/member\/trebeck-katherine\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Katherine Trebeck<\/a>, a leading advocate for a human economy, widens the lens even further. She reminds us that the planet, people and the economy are not separate spheres but one living system. \u201cIf we harm one, the effects ripple through the others,\u201d she notes. Her message is clear: we need to step back and see how the big picture fits together.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That theme of connection also runs through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clubofrome.org\/member\/singh-supriya\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Supriya Singh<\/a>\u2019s reflections. The sustainability strategist describes systems thinking as paying attention to relationships, how one organisation\u2019s or individual\u2019s actions shape outcomes for others. \u201cNothing stands alone,\u201d she says. \u201cEvery action, no matter how small, has consequences elsewhere.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clubofrome.org\/member\/yao-songqiao\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Songqiao Yao<\/a>, founder of WildBound, the metaphor is deeply human. She likens systems thinking to Chinese medicine: when one part of the body is unwell, the entire system needs healing. \u201cIt\u2019s not just about treating symptoms,\u201d she explains. \u201cIt\u2019s about restoring balance.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clubofrome.org\/member\/lovins-hunter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hunter Lovins<\/a>, professor of sustainable business, captures this essence with a memorable line: \u201cWhen you tug on anything in the universe, you find it\u2019s connected to everything else.\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clubofrome.org\/member\/dunlop-kirsten\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kirsten Dunlop<\/a>, who leads innovation in business model transformation, agrees. \u201cIf we wish to change anything for the good,\u201d she says, \u201cthen we need to work on those relationships.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Economist <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clubofrome.org\/member\/costanza-robert\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Robert Costanza<\/a> echoes that view, calling interconnectedness \u201cthe first law of ecology.\u201d Everything is connected, he reminds us and ignoring that truth leads to fragmented solutions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meanwhile, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clubofrome.org\/member\/gilmour-john\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">John Gilmour<\/a>, a social entrepreneur&nbsp;brings the idea down to the ground. He argues that thinking systemically doesn\u2019t come naturally. \u201cWe\u2019re trained to think in straight lines, cause and effect,\u201d he says. \u201cBut complexity thinking frees me from that and helps me find multi-layered solutions that really address inequities.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And finally, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clubofrome.org\/member\/burrow-sharan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sharan Burrow<\/a>, a global voice for climate action and just transition, brings systems thinking into the political realm. For her, it\u2019s about governments listening and responding to people\u2019s needs, creating systems that ensure hope, inclusion and shared prosperity while tackling the climate crisis.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Across these reflections runs one powerful thread: systems thinking is not a single definition or a buzzword. It is a way of seeing the world, recognising that our challenges are not separate threads but parts of one fabric.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Seeing the bigger picture | Voices on systems thinking (Part 2)\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ha8cY_J5AFo?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https:\/\/thefifthelement.earth\/staging\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>So, what is systems thinking?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is a way of approaching problems, taking into account the overall system as well as its individual parts. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These different perspectives all push us to move away from siloed thinking. Siloed thinking is when an organisation, a government<s>,<\/s> or even a single person looks only at their part of the problem without considering the wider impact. For example, a company might focus only on increasing profits without thinking about how this affects workers or the environment. A government might focus on health care without considering how education or food systems shape health outcomes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Systems thinking encourages us to ask broader questions. What factors are connected here? What ripple effects might my decision create? What is the full picture, not just the part in front of me?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The value of this approach is that it opens space for real solutions. When we look at all the moving parts, we can design responses that are more effective and sustainable. It also helps us avoid the trap of fixing one problem while making another worse.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Breaking the silos | Voices on systems thinking (Part 3)\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0kHO-zL5gGg?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https:\/\/thefifthelement.earth\/staging\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Seeing beyond the surface<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Systems thinking is not about complexity for its own sake. It is about seeing connections that are often hidden. It asks us to look beyond the surface and ask: what is really going on here?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Take the example of the fashion industry. At first glance, it is about clothes. But if we look deeper, we see it touches water use, land for growing cotton, chemical pollution, wages and safety for workers, transport emissions, consumer behaviour and landfill waste. A single shirt connects across the globe in ways we might not imagine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"540\" src=\"https:\/\/thefifthelement.earth\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/fashion-co2graph-infographic-2000px-1918x1011-1-1024x540.avif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thefifthelement.earth\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/fashion-co2graph-infographic-2000px-1918x1011-1-1024x540.avif 1024w, https:\/\/thefifthelement.earth\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/fashion-co2graph-infographic-2000px-1918x1011-1-300x158.avif 300w, https:\/\/thefifthelement.earth\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/fashion-co2graph-infographic-2000px-1918x1011-1-768x405.avif 768w, https:\/\/thefifthelement.earth\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/fashion-co2graph-infographic-2000px-1918x1011-1-1536x810.avif 1536w, https:\/\/thefifthelement.earth\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/fashion-co2graph-infographic-2000px-1918x1011-1-1080x569.avif 1080w, https:\/\/thefifthelement.earth\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/fashion-co2graph-infographic-2000px-1918x1011-1-1280x675.avif 1280w, https:\/\/thefifthelement.earth\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/fashion-co2graph-infographic-2000px-1918x1011-1-980x517.avif 980w, https:\/\/thefifthelement.earth\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/fashion-co2graph-infographic-2000px-1918x1011-1-480x253.avif 480w, https:\/\/thefifthelement.earth\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/fashion-co2graph-infographic-2000px-1918x1011-1.avif 1918w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Cloth life cycle:<\/strong> Clothes start as fibres, become garments, are worn and later reused, recycled or disposed of.<br>Credit:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org\/fashion-and-the-circular-economy-deep-dive\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ellen MacArthur Foundation<\/a>&nbsp;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This way of thinking also applies to social issues. If one community struggles with poor health, we cannot only send medicine. We must look at food, housing, education, sanitation and income. Health is the outcome of many connected systems.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>So, systems thinking is about seeing the bigger picture. It is about looking at the whole puzzle, not just one piece. The members of The Club of Rome remind us that&nbsp;the world is deeply connected and that to solve its crises, we must think and act in connected ways.&nbsp; <\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Have you ever tried to solve a puzzle with only one piece in your hand? It is impossible to know the full picture if you only focus on one part. You might guess at the image, but without seeing how the other pieces fit together, your understanding will always be incomplete. This is the same [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":3431,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Have you ever tried to solve a puzzle with only one piece in your hand? It is impossible to know the full picture if you only focus on one part. You might guess at the image, but without seeing how the other pieces fit together, your understanding will always be incomplete. This is the same challenge we face when looking at problems in the world. We often focus on one small part, but the real solutions only come when we step back and look at the whole puzzle. Or in our case, systems, this is what systems thinking is all about.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:embed {\"url\":\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/0kHO-zL5gGg\",\"type\":\"video\",\"providerNameSlug\":\"youtube\",\"responsive\":true,\"align\":\"wide\",\"className\":\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed alignwide is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/0kHO-zL5gGg\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:embed -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why it matters<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The world\u2019s challenges do not sit neatly in boxes. Climate change cannot be solved by looking at carbon emissions alone. Global health cannot be fixed by treating one disease while ignoring poverty, food security and education. When we think in narrow ways, we risk missing the bigger picture.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Systems thinking asks us to see how different parts connect. It pushes us to recognise that one decision in one area will ripple into another. For example, when we buy clothes, it is not only about fashion or price. It is also about the resources used to make the fabric, the labour conditions in factories, the transport that brings the items to shops and what happens when the clothes are thrown away. Each part matters because it is linked, forming a chain of impact that affects people, the planet and the economy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Having a holistic view of a system, whether big or small, enables us to understand interdependencies, anticipate consequences and act more systemically. It helps navigate complexity and foster transformative change. This is why many members of The Club of Rome describe systems thinking as a powerful tool. We asked them to share their reflections on what this approach means to them. Their perspectives vary, yet all echoed a common message: we must move beyond silos and start seeing the bigger picture.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Voices from The Club of Rome<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>For Lars Mortensen, an expert in circular economy, textiles and the wellbeing economy, systems thinking starts with something tangible: the value chain. \u201cIt\u2019s about following a product from production to consumption to disposal,\u201d he says and then asks what happens to the waste left behind. To him, the goal is simple but radical, treat the whole system, not its isolated parts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Katherine Trebeck, a leading advocate for a human economy, widens the lens even further. She reminds us that the planet, people and the economy are not separate spheres but one living system. \u201cIf we harm one, the effects ripple through the others,\u201d she notes. Her message is clear: we need to step back and see how the big picture fits together.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>That theme of connection also runs through Supriya Singh\u2019s reflections. The sustainability strategist describes systems thinking as paying attention to relationships, how one organisation\u2019s or individual\u2019s actions shape outcomes for others. \u201cNothing stands alone,\u201d she says. \u201cEvery action, no matter how small, has consequences elsewhere.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>For Songqiao Yao, founder of WildBound, the metaphor is deeply human. She likens systems thinking to Chinese medicine: when one part of the body is unwell, the entire system needs healing. \u201cIt\u2019s not just about treating symptoms,\u201d she explains. \u201cIt\u2019s about restoring balance.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Hunter Lovins, professor of sustainable business, captures this essence with a memorable line: \u201cWhen you tug on anything in the universe, you find it\u2019s connected to everything else.\u201d Kirsten Dunlop, who leads innovation in business model transformation, agrees. \u201cIf we wish to change anything for the good,\u201d she says, \u201cthen we need to work on those relationships.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Economist Robert Costanza echoes that view, calling interconnectedness \u201cthe first law of ecology.\u201d Everything is connected, he reminds us and ignoring that truth leads to fragmented solutions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Meanwhile, John Gilmour, a social entrepreneur&nbsp;brings the idea down to the ground. He argues that thinking systemically doesn\u2019t come naturally. \u201cWe\u2019re trained to think in straight lines, cause and effect,\u201d he says. \u201cBut complexity thinking frees me from that and helps me find multi-layered solutions that really address inequities.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>And finally, Sharan Burrow, a global voice for climate action and just transition, brings systems thinking into the political realm. For her, it\u2019s about governments listening and responding to people\u2019s needs, creating systems that ensure hope, inclusion and shared prosperity while tackling the climate crisis.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Across these reflections runs one powerful thread: systems thinking is not a single definition or a buzzword. It is a way of seeing the world, recognising that our challenges are not separate threads but parts of one fabric.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>So, what is systems thinking?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>It is a way of approaching problems, taking into account the overall system as well as its individual parts. &nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>These different perspectives all push us to move away from siloed thinking. Siloed thinking is when an organisation, a government<s>,<\/s> or even a single person looks only at their part of the problem without considering the wider impact. For example, a company might focus only on increasing profits without thinking about how this affects workers or the environment. A government might focus on health care without considering how education or food systems shape health outcomes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Systems thinking encourages us to ask broader questions. What factors are connected here? What ripple effects might my decision create? What is the full picture, not just the part in front of me?&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The value of this approach is that it opens space for real solutions. When we look at all the moving parts, we can design responses that are more effective and sustainable. It also helps us avoid the trap of fixing one problem while making another worse.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Seeing beyond the surface<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Systems thinking is not about complexity for its own sake. It is about seeing connections that are often hidden. It asks us to look beyond the surface and ask: what is really going on here?&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Take the example of the fashion industry. At first glance, it is about clothes. But if we look deeper, we see it touches water use, land for growing cotton, chemical pollution, wages and safety for workers, transport emissions, consumer behaviour and landfill waste. A single shirt connects across the globe in ways we might not imagine.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":3466,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https:\/\/thefifthelement.earth\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/fashion-co2graph-infographic-2000px-1918x1011-1-1024x540.avif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3466\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Credit:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org\/fashion-and-the-circular-economy-deep-dive\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ellen MacArthur Foundation<\/a>&nbsp;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>This way of thinking also applies to social issues. If one community struggles with poor health, we cannot only send medicine. We must look at food, housing, education, sanitation and income. Health is the outcome of many connected systems.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>So, systems thinking is about seeing the bigger picture. It is about looking at the whole puzzle, not just one piece. The members of The Club of Rome remind us that&nbsp;the world is deeply connected and that to solve its crises, we must think and act in connected ways.&nbsp; <\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"thread":[32],"class_list":["post-3478","opinion","type-opinion","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opinion","thread-other"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Systems thinking: the key to solving interconnected crises - Club of Rome | The Fifth Element<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The international development system we knew is gone, and there is no going back. 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