What is Systems Thinking?
Systems Thinking is a way of looking at the way things are made in the world and understanding how processes influence one another in a larger system.
Linear thinking is a narrow way of looking at the world; it's like going on a hike and seeing many individual trees without realizing that the trees make up a forest. Systems Thinking is seeing the "big picture" and understanding how the trees are components of a forest.
Systems Thinking is a major principle in green chemistry; successful green chemists must understand how the chemicals and processes they create impact human health, the enviroment, and the economy.
How is Systems Thinking Used in Green Chemistry?
Systems Thinking is used in other fields all the time, but chemistry has historically been isolated as its own discipline that just considers the transformations of molecules in flasks. We need to stop doing this so we can anticipate impacts of chemicals on the environment, transition away from fossil fuels, manufacture drugs that the entire world can access, and design long-term solutions for energy storage.
Examples of Systems Thinking at Home:
- Planning your meals for the week and optimizing meal prep tasks to save time and energy and minimize waste (by researching recipes, budgeting before shopping, practicing time management during cooking, and recycling packaging after the meal).
Examples of Systems Thinking at Work & School:
- Creating a delivery company that uses reusable shipping containers instead of single-use cardboard boxes.
- Reducing the electricity used by your university by installing solar panels to power academic buildings.
Examples of Systems Thinking in Chemistry:
- Manufacturing a drug and making a plan for reducing the volume of solvents and wastewater produced during the process.
- Designing chemicals that break down into non toxic substances that do not persit in the environment after use.
Why Should Chemists Practice Systems Thinking?
a. Recognize the broader impacts of chemistry and reimagine the role of chemistry in benefiting Earth and its people
i. The historical role of chemistry has been to create new scientific knowledge and use that knowledge for applications
1. The significance of the application is often not the focus if the basic science is interesting
ii. Practicing ST to reimagine chemistry can intentionally position chemistry to address the multiple unfolding global crises
1. Leading with the application of the chemistry and its impacts, then asking what molecular attributes can achieve the desired result
2. Position chemical innovation to address sustainability issues, such as those raised by the UN SDGs
iii. ST is a framework for connecting chemicals to their impacts on people, the environment and society.
b. A better approach to green innovation
i. Holistic lens avoids innovation that sounds green but actually has minimal impact, or worse, a negative impact.
ii. Examining the chemical system typically involves consideration of a chemical at multiple stages in its life cycle, therefore systems thinking is intimately related to life cycle thinking. Many green chemistry principles are centered around the idea of designing systems holistically and using life cycle thinking.
c. Professional development
i. Learn chemistry from a societal problem-solving perspective, much more useful for a range of careers than a short-term encyclopedic knowledge of chemical concepts and reactions.
ii. Allows for a person in any professional field to see how chemistry influences their work and identify intervention opportunities.
iii. Scientists trained in systems thinking are well-equipped to identify research opportunities that affect powerful change.
iv. Develop important skills for scientists including: anticipating outcomes in the face of uncertainty, assessing trade-offs when considering different choices, and drawing conclusions from imperfect data.
Additional Systems Thinking Resources for Undergrads
Articles & Course Materials
- J. Chem. Ed. Virtual Issue: Reimagining Chemistry Education: Systems Thinking, and Green and Sustainable Chemistry
- Nature Chemistry Article: One World Chemistry & Systems Thinking
Webinars
- The Hidden Impact: Taking a Life Cycle View
- Webinar
- Webinar
Nexus Blog Posts
- Nexus Post
- Nexus Post
- Nexus Post
Videos
- ACS GCI video introducing how the concept of systems thinking relates to green and sustainable chemistry:
ACS GCI's Green Chemistry and Engineering Conference
The 2025 Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference will be held June 23-26 in Pittsburgh, PA, with the theme Good Health & Well-Being Through Sustainable Chemistry.
