View: System Properties

This section identifies the system properties. Suggested headings have been included. These can be tailored.

System properties Overview

In system terms, System Properties are emergent through the interaction of the parts. Today, for example, when we measure a global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or the concentration of CO2 in the air, there are a number of systems that interact to create these conditions that we can measure. These properties may relate to aspects of planetary health or prosperity.

There are a number of competing goals for measuring the health and wealth of the world. The key measure for the Economy is the GDP while the key measurement of the health of the planet is the CO2 Concentration in the air. The safe limit is 350 ppm. Today we are measuring over 400 ppm CO2 concentration in the air. These two measures do not provide a whole system view of the health and state of the planet.

The Doughnut model provides a balanced view of both the health of the planet and the well-being of the people living on the planet. This is forming a type of balanced scorecard for the Earth. This Doughnut model is described in the book Doughnut Economics by Kate Raworth. This model is used to identify the key planetary systemic properties.

Doughnut from Doughnut Economics, Kate Raworth, 2017

In terms of measuring each of the properties, measurement processes are necessary. This process (From Tom Gilb, Competitive Engineering) identifies:

  • the scale and units of measure
  • the method for measuring
  • benchmarks and targets for a value on the scale
  • any constraints or conditions on the values.

Systemic Measurable Variables

The traditional systemic variables are:

Earth

  • CO2 concentration in the atmosphere
  • Net GHG produced (all sources, including SF6)
  • Temperature rise from baseline (See Math Models: EN-Roads for Interactive Simulation)

Society

Economy

list to be refined.

  • Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
  • Balance of Payments (BP)
  • Number of People employed
  • Price Index
  • R & D Investments
  • Number of Startup organizations.
  • National debt
  • Loans outstanding.
  • Noise Quality / Pollution
  • Air Quality / pollution
  • Total Energy Produced
  • Total Energy Consumed

NOTE: there is the 'measured' economy and the 'unmeasured (LETS) or black market' Economy.

The variables beyond the Ecological Ceiling are called Planetary Boundaries

The variables inside the Social Foundation are derived from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Link to PDF: United Nations SDG to Whole System Mapping

At a point in time, these measurements provide a snapshot of the state of the Earth. Here is an example:

Doughnut Transgressions, from Doughnut Economics by Kate Raworth, 2017

 

These systemic properties are generated through the interaction of the Earth Systems.

These systemic properties also provide a view of the health and well-being of the planet.

Systemic Capabilities or Functions

Some of the capabilities of the system relate to the types of systems:

Earth

Society

  • Social systems and human activity systems along with designed systems

Economy

Human Activity Systems that form the social systems of the economy.

Human Activity Infrastructure Services to be delivered either in a market or commons setting.

Market

  • Goods, services and infrastructure services provided through a market arrangement defined by the state
  • Example: Health Services in the USA

Commons

  • Goods, services and infrastructure services provided for the common good as defined by the state.
  • Example NHS in the UK.

System States

  • Current State: Current State of the systemic properties
  • Emergent Future State: The state of the planet that is emerging from human activity in the anthropocene.
  • Ideal Future State: Living within the safe and just space for humanity within the Doughnut.

Systemic Quality Properties

  • Health
  • Prosperity
  • Wealth
  • Well-being

System Quantity Properties

  • Quantities of natural resources available on the planet (finite resources from the planet)
    • Amount of Land and Water.
  • Weight and mass of the Earth
  • Average Energy Consumption per Household.
  • Average Energy Produced per day (or time of day). (by the energy system).