26 Understanding Framing in Systems

Introduction to Framing

In systems thinking, framing refers to how we define and approach a problem or system. The way we frame an issue significantly influences the strategies and solutions we prioritize. For example, climate change can be framed as either a global crisis that demands international cooperation or as a local issue that requires community action. Both frames are valid, but each leads to different kinds of responses. Let’s explore these frames in more detail.

Framing and bounding are essential tools in systems thinking, helping to define the scope, scale, and boundaries of complex sustainability challenges. These concepts guide decision-makers in analyzing systems at appropriate levels, whether global, national, regional, or local. In sustainability, understanding and applying scale ensures that solutions are both effective and contextually relevant.

This chapter explores how framing and bounding influence sustainability efforts, offering practical examples and case studies to illustrate their applications.

Framing Climate Change: Global Crisis vs. Localized Issue

The framing of climate change, whether as a global crisis or a localized issue, shapes how organizations, governments, and communities respond. The distinction influences the strategies they employ, the resources they allocate, and the partnerships they form. In turn, this impacts the effectiveness of climate action.

Global Framing: Climate Change as a Global Crisis

When climate change is framed as a global issue, the focus is on collective responsibility and international cooperation. This approach is often taken by large organizations and coalitions, which focus on sweeping initiatives, policy frameworks, and global metrics.

Take the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), for example. Here, climate change is framed as a global crisis that requires countries to work together through agreements like the Paris Agreement. This global framing drives the creation of international goals, such as limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C. In addition, developed nations are encouraged to support developing nations through financial and technological aid, as seen in mechanisms like the Green Climate Fund. Another example is the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), where scientific research is synthesized to inform global policymaking. The IPCC provides a comprehensive assessment of climate impacts, encouraging nations to adopt coordinated efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate changes.

However, framing climate change as a global issue can come with challenges. The solutions generated may feel abstract and disconnected from the day-to-day experiences of local communities. Moreover, international negotiations can be slow, which can delay timely action.

Local Framing: Climate Change as a Community Issue

On the other hand, some organizations and governments frame climate change as a local issue, focusing on the specific challenges and opportunities that arise in different regions. This framing emphasizes grassroots engagement and community-specific solutions, allowing for more immediate and tangible responses.

In Tucson, Arizona, for example, climate change is framed as a local challenge that worsens water scarcity and affects community resilience. As a response, Tucson mandates rainwater harvesting systems for commercial developments, recognizing the increasing risks of drought. Local nonprofits, like the Watershed Management Group (WMG), play a significant role by promoting water conservation through community workshops and hands-on projects, such as backyard rainwater basins.

Additionally, Tucson’s urban heat mitigation efforts focus on planting drought-tolerant trees and building green infrastructure to combat the city’s urban heat island effect. This local framing is further evident in the Pima County Flood Control District’s approach to climate resilience. By addressing flash flooding risks during monsoon seasons, worsened by climate variability, the county develops green stormwater infrastructure projects like bioswales and retention basins. These solutions are practical, place-based responses that are highly relevant to the local community.

However, like global framing, local framing also has its limitations. While local solutions can be effective for the region, they may not scale up to address the broader global impacts of climate change. Additionally, local communities may face limited resources, making it difficult to implement large-scale, comprehensive solutions.

Bridging Global and Local Frames

Some organizations adopt a more integrative approach, recognizing the interplay between global and local realities. These organizations work to design strategies that align global objectives with local needs, creating a balance that ensures action is effective at both scales.

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is an excellent example of this integrated approach. TNC frames climate change as both a global and local issue, focusing on large-scale climate resilience while engaging communities in place-based solutions. Globally, TNC promotes nature-based solutions, such as restoring mangroves and forests to sequester carbon. Locally, they collaborate with communities in Tucson to implement sustainable water management practices, linking these efforts to broader global water security goals.

Key Takeaways

Global Framing Benefits:

• Encourages coordinated, large-scale action and resource mobilization.
• Aligns efforts with scientific benchmarks and international commitments.

Local Framing Benefits:

• Makes climate action tangible and relevant to communities.
• Enables targeted responses to unique regional impacts.

Integrative Approaches:

• Combining global and local frames fosters alignment between international objectives and community-specific needs.

By understanding the importance of framing in systems thinking, we can better appreciate how different perspectives shape the way climate change is addressed. Both global and local frames offer valuable insights, and the most effective solutions may come from integrating the two approaches.