![]() The Land Degradation “Iceberg” in Central Americaįor example, if we traveled to a random location in rural Central America, we would likely end up on degraded farmland, where we would see farmers struggling to make ends meet. How does this model help us understand the root causes of the problems we see around us? And finally, the lowest layer consists of the mental models, including mindsets, values and assumptions, that shape the system and keep its structures in place.Below that are the systemic structures, such as rules, institutions and practices, that influence the patterns of events.Below that are the patterns of events happening over time.The visible part sticking out of the water represents the events we see happening, which may be positive or negative.The systems thinking “iceberg” has four layers: Just as the 90% of an iceberg that remains submerged is responsible for the 10% we see above water, there are deeper systems-level issues that form the root causes behind the most persistent development challenges. Following the iceberg model’s analogy, these events are the tip of an iceberg: If we cut it off by addressing only those issues, the iceberg’s buoyancy will take over and a “tip” emerges again, as the same problem reappears. Below, we’ll explore this model and discuss how it has impacted our efforts to support land restoration and improve agri-food systems.Ī key principle in systems thinking, as applied to the development sector, is that the “events” that we perceive as development challenges are actually the result of underlying systemic causes. The iceberg model helped us to recognize the systemic root causes of land degradation, and to identify what it takes to restore lands at a large scale. These are practices that curb erosion and improve soil structure and fertility to allow increased farm productivity and improve water and food security. To help guide this work, we applied an emblematic system thinking tool, the iceberg model, to the case of scaling land restoration practices in Central America. In exploring the implications of this new way of thinking, we’ve asked ourselves what “agri-food system change” really involves, and what that means for scaling innovations in a systems context. For example, in our line of work at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), we speak less of “agriculture” and more of “agri-food systems,” in which production and consumption are connected and limited to our planetary boundaries. Since then, we have observed a surge in the use of words like “systems thinking” and “transformation” in the development sector. We proposed some strategies to develop a more systemic and problem-driven approach to scaling successful initiatives, but we also recognized that the widespread application of such approaches was an exception rather than a rule. We called for a massive break with the linear and technology-driven way of providing solutions for global problems. It is important to invest in accident prevention because without adequate control measures in place, accidents will definitely cost you.Two years ago, we wrote a NextBillion article on why so many promising innovations are so hard to scale to a level where they have a significant impact on the Sustainable Development Goals. ![]() It’s never too late to build a safety culture. Loss of product/process material damaged during accident.Time spent to process the worker’s compensation forms.Lowering of morale, goodwill, image, etc.Overtime to cover the work/shifts of an injured worker.Cost of hiring and/or training replacement staff.Indirect (uninsured) costs include: Hidden costs of the accident Direct costs are insured costs and indirect costs are uninsured costs. The costs to an organization is based on Iceberg Theory of direct and indirect costs. It is estimated that the hidden cost of accidents can be up to 10 times greater than the insured costs. It is often assumed that workplace accident costs are recoverable through insurance, but this is a misconception.Īccident and ill-health costs can be compared to an iceberg- costs that are recoverable are visible but those that are unrecoverable are hidden below the waterline and are many times greater. In the event of an accident at work many employers focus their efforts on looking at the immediate cause and reacting to ensure operations continue to run smoothly. ![]() ![]() ![]() Worldwide, there are around 340 million occupational accidents and 160 million victims of work-related illnesses annually. The ILO estimates that some 2.3 million people around the world are prone to work-related accidents or diseases every year which corresponds to over 6000 deaths every single day. ![]()
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