A Principled Pragmatic Approach allows Water Diplomats to Move from a World of Seemingly Infinite Possibilities Towards an Actionable Subset of Implementable Ideas We began this series by arguing that many important contemporary water problems emerge from a complex coupling of natural and human systems. In our second post, we argued that Water Diplomats […]
Orienting Interdisciplinary Collaboration for Actionable Outcomes
An Argument for Problem-Driven Interdisciplinary Collaboration for Complex Water Issues In our first post in this series, we argued that many of our current and emerging water problems arise from the inherent complexity of coupled natural and human systems. In our second post we discussed the importance of correctly identifying whether or not a […]
To Address the Problem, First Classify the System
Natural or Human? Complicated or Complex? Why does it matter? In our earlier post, we discussed how the widespread promotion of interdisciplinary water management has not come with an instruction manual on what to do and how. We recognize that many of our water problems arise from a coupling of natural and human systems. Historically, […]
From Universal Optimizers to Principled Pragmatists: How Complexity is Shaping Professional Water Practice
In the 1960s, we addressed our water problems with reservoirs, dams and treatment facilities. At that time, a water professional’s desired outcomes could all be written down and quantified in objective functions. Today, our World is globalized. Science, Policy, and Politics are interdependent. Change is inevitable. The pace and nature of change has accelerated […]