Instructions
Part A. Connecting a Local Problem to the Planetary Boundaries Framework
The nine boundaries humanity must respect to keep the planet habitable
In 3-6 complete sentences:
Describe how the P22 problem is connected to two of the planetary boundaries; and
Explain how those boundaries are connected to one another in the specific context of the P22 case.
https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/puma-profiles-p-22.htm
Part B. Perspective-taking to understand a Wicked Problem.
Wicked problems are by definition complex. To begin to find workable solutions, we must first understand the perspectives of those involved. Read the following case about a persistent water quality problem and practice perspective-taking by completing parts B and C.
The city of Waukee, Iowa has gone from a farming community to a bustling suburb of the largest metropolitan area in the state, Des Moines, in the last few decades. As the city grows, new businesses have been built at a rapid pace, converting former agricultural land into buildings, parking lots, homes, and lawns. The surrounding areas are still farmed in large corn and soybean fields that have no vegetation for half of the year. The city of Waukee falls within the watershed that is served by Des Moines Waterworks, one of the largest water treatment facilities in the world. Drinking water from surface rivers here is purified and serves more than 500,000 people (Des Moines Water Works, 2021). In many ways this watershed is typical of the Midwestern US in that there are farms, homes, and businesses and these diverse landowners have diverse land uses and priorities. The area also has conservation organizations and ecotourism businesses who want to protect water quality. Farm fields have runoff, but so do parking lots from businesses who own or rent a storefront, and lawns from homeowners in this suburban area. Des Moines residents do not like paying higher rates to have water treated for excess nitrogen, phosphorous, or pollutants, but the city of Des Moines cannot regulate what happens in other cities in the watershed like Waukee or from farm input upstream.
Des Moines Water Works. 2021. “Watershed.” https://www.dmww.com/water_quality/watershed.phpLinks to an external site.. Accessed August 7. 2023.
There are many groups of interested and affected parties (IAPs) in this case study. You may select from among the following IAPs: a) a farmer who has 1000 acres of crop fields b) Kettlestone Developers who are planning a mixed-use development and c) health food store owner that rents space in a strip mall (they don’t own the land but serve an eco-conscious clientele). In the table below, please fill in two and in a few words summarize their perspectives. An example is provided. In the final project for this course, you will tell a story about a water resources issue. This activity will help you begin to think about different IAP perspectives in a water resource situation.
Part C. Reflection. Consider how your thinking changed about who is to blame and who should be held responsible for a solution in this water resources situation. In a paragraph, reflect on how thinking about different IAPs and their perspectives can provide you with a deeper understanding of the problem.
