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Climate Change as a Wicked Problem

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  • John FitzGibbon
  • Kenneth O. Mensah

Abstract

Understanding complexity suggests that some problems are more complex than others and defy conventional solutions. These wicked problems will not be solved by the same tools and processes that are complicit in creating them. Neither will they be resolved by approaches short on explicating the complex interconnections of the multiple causes, consequences, and cross-scale actors of the problem. Climate change is one such wicked problem confronting water management in Ghana with a dilemma. The physical consequences of climate change on Ghana’s water resources are progressively worsening. At the same time, existing institutional arrangements demonstrate weak capacities to tackle climate change–related complexities in water management. Therefore, it warrants a dynamic approach imbued with complex and adaptive systems thinking, which also capitalizes on instrumental gains from prior existing institutions. Adaptive Co-Management offers such an opportunity for Ghana to adapt its water management system to climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • John FitzGibbon & Kenneth O. Mensah, 2012. "Climate Change as a Wicked Problem," SAGE Open, , vol. 2(2), pages 21582440124, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:2:y:2012:i:2:p:2158244012448487
    DOI: 10.1177/2158244012448487
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. D. Lumbroso & G. Woolhouse & L. Jones, 2015. "A review of the consideration of climate change in the planning of hydropower schemes in sub-Saharan Africa," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 133(4), pages 621-633, December.
    2. Drielsma, Michael J. & Love, Jamie & Williams, Kristen J. & Manion, Glenn & Saremi, Hanieh & Harwood, Tom & Robb, Janeen, 2017. "Bridging the gap between climate science and regional-scale biodiversity conservation in south-eastern Australia," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 360(C), pages 343-362.
    3. Ashwin Ram Sridharan & Zareena Begum Irfan, 2020. "Understanding the Water Crisis in India: Application of Causal Loop Modelling to Examine the Environment-Economy Interlinkage across Sectors," Working Papers 2020-201, Madras School of Economics,Chennai,India.
    4. Norbert Brunner & Vijay Mishra & Ponnusamy Sakthivel & Markus Starkl & Christof Tschohl, 2015. "The Human Right to Water in Law and Implementation," Laws, MDPI, vol. 4(3), pages 1-59, August.

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