EcoIQ Video
Whole Systems Thinking

EcoIntelligence sustainability articles, speeches, and interviews.This page displays a collection of environmental and sustainability (green) online videos on whole systems thinking. Video topics include the "Gaia" hypothesis, the unity of living systems, integral politics, and more.

Whole systems thinking strives to understand cause and effect relationships in a wholistic, nonlinear and integrated way. Environmental issues cannot be well understood without a whole systems approach. It reveals the deep interconnectedness between humans and the Earth's natural living systems. The "Gaia" hypothesis takes things further by considering the Earth as a single organism of which we are a part. Systems thinking allows us to better understand how the environmental actions we take have an impact on the rest of the Earth's systems.

"" Living In A Living Universe. Presentation excerpts by Duane Elgin. Explores our existence and the idea of living in a living universe. He discusses both scientific and spiritual perspectives, from cosmological dark energy to Native American beliefs. About 3 minutes. Play Video >>

"" The Sacred Balance - Gaia Hypothesis. In this excerpt from The Sacred Balance documentary, James Lovelock talks about the origins of his "Gaia" hypothesis. It suggests that the Earth is one living organism. About 4 minutes. Play Video >>

"" Integral Politics. In this speech, Ken Wilber outlines what truly integral politics might look like. He compares and contrasts the politics of the US Democratic and Republican parties, explaining why both are less than integral. About 18 minutes. Play Video >>

"" Systems Thinking - Part 1. American organizational theorist and consultant Dr. Russell Ackoff gives an in-depth explanation of systems thinking. About 22 minutes. Play Video - Part 1, 2, 3.

"" Whole Systems Thinking. Robert Cantillo, speaking at the Antioch University Seattle Center for Creative Change, presents a synopsis of how whole systems thinking can be applied to social systems, organizations, and companies. About 2 minutes. Play Video >>

"" The Unity of Living Systems - Part 1. All cellular organisms — prokaryotic and eukaryotic — share basic chemical similarities. Out of these similarities, however, emerge diverse patterns of cell assembly. Encounter the tools to understand various cell types and their relationship to non cell entities such as viruses. About 14 minutes. Play Video - Part 1, 2.

"" Whole Systems Design: Introduction to Life Cycle Thinking. With a whole systems approach you'll discover that opportunities for saving resources, like materials and energy, can often be uncovered early in the design process. The key is to identify the right problems to solve before engineering begins. From manufacturing to disposal, the things we make create environmental impacts throughout their life cycles. About 6 minutes. Play Video >>

"" Whole Systems Thinking: The Way Ahead. Panel on using systems thinking for energy system design. Panelists include: Jo Coleman (Energy Technologies Institute); David Joffe (Committee on Climate Change); Graham Stein (National Grid); Professor Phil Taylor (Newcastle University); and Professor Jan Webb (University of Edinburgh). About 55 minutes. Play Video >>

"" Whole-Systems Data-Centre Design for Radical Energy and Capital Efficiency. Presentation by Amory Lovins. Lovins, Chairman & Chief Scientist of the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) speaking at his seminar on Whole-Systems Data-Centre Design. About 58 minutes. Play Video >>

"" Whole Systems Strategies for Getting Breakthrough Technologies Out to the World. Presentation by Foster Gamble. The Global Breakthrough Energy Movement (GlobalBEM) is a non-profit volunteer-powered organization dedicated to educating and activating the public about breakthrough energy technologies which are clean, sustainable and world changing. About 101 minutes. Play Video >>

"" Whole Systems Approach To No-Till. Online presentation by David Wolfskill. About the importance of looking at the practice of no-till using a "systems approach" where each piece of equipment needs to be set up properly, you need to evaluate soil health and know your fields. About 2 minutes. Play Video >>