![](https://www.sdgthinking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/hands4.jpg)
A project to learn
systems thinking for sustainability
SDG Thinking is a free to use project to work on an issue within one of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
![](https://www.sdgthinking.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/neve-webdesign-GB-03.png)
No prior knowledge
No prerequisite knowledge of sustainable development issues required.
![](https://www.sdgthinking.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/neve-webdesign-GB-04.png)
Use current events
Use issues in the online news within
the scope of a UN SDG.
![](https://www.sdgthinking.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/neve-webdesign-GB-01.png)
See that change is possible
Students find leverage points to bring about systemic change.
![](https://www.sdgthinking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/cg_mooc_2-1024x572.jpg)
Step 1 – Learn systems thinking
Take an online course in systems thinking at www.thinkingcomplexity.com
Step 2 – Find an issue in the online news
The news regularly reminds us of society’s wicked problems such as climate change, resource depletion, terrorism and poverty.
![](https://www.sdgthinking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/news-item-1024x735.png)
![](https://www.sdgthinking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/story-plastic.png)
Step 3 – Tell the systemic story
Students read widely, identify key variables and write a rich story of the behaviour under study.
Step 4 – Model the problem situation
Students draw a causal loop diagram of the situation to help explain the behavior under study.
![](https://www.sdgthinking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/cld-plastic.png)
![](https://www.sdgthinking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/leverage-plastic.png)
Step 5 – Find systemic leverage for change
Students identify places to act within a system where the result is amplified compared to the required effort.
Step 6 – Design an action plan
Students formulate a coherent, multi-stakeholder strategy to address the problem of sustainability.
![](https://www.sdgthinking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/sim-homeless.png)