Engineers and designers who take a moment to step back from the challenges directly in front of them can gain a broader, system-wide perspective that reveals solutions as pieces in a larger puzzle. Taking one of the broadest perspectives possible, technologies may be revealed as smaller parts of the entire planet, intrinsically linked to the planet’s natural systems. Karimah Hudda, Founder of Illumine Earth, and a practitioner of systems change, discussed systems thinking in those terms in a forward-looking presentation to the Engineering for Change Fellowship Program.
Ecosystems thrive when they are in balance, yet our planetary ecosystem is now disrupted by deforestation, climate change, and the growing accumulation of plastics in our oceans. Still, restoring equilibrium is within reach, if we choose to act, Ms. Hudda said.
“We can achieve this by ensuring universal access to clean water, eliminating plastic and chemical pollution, accelerating decarbonization, and developing strategies to protect and restore 30 percent of nature by 2030 and 50 percent by 2050. These are global targets endorsed during multiple United Nations summits,” she said.
Read More: Pathways Through the Forest of Systems Change
She observed that fellows who are working on technologies that include artificial intelligience can have the opportunity to think about how AI is shaping them and how they are shaping it in return.
“This means establishing frameworks and systems that guide and make AI a force for good that positively influences work, protects the environment, and uplifts society, rather than a force of whatever it wants to be. Also, we need to consider how AI can foster equality and deepen inclusion,” she emphasised.
There is also need for the fellows to figure out how sustainable development will end poverty, end child labor, modern slavery and end poor working conditions in an effort to establish well-being and to flourish and include everyone.
She further urged the fellows to broaden their perspective beyond isolated systems, reminding them that every component is part of the larger planetary ecosystem. By embracing sustainable development, she explained, we can work toward equilibrium without disrupting the status quo.
Read More: The “Five E’s” of Human-Centered Design in Global Development
Additionally, she notes that the need for AI and data centers is increasing. Thus, it is critical for fellows to start looking at AI as an ecosystem, the solutions needed to influence change can incorporate technology that impacts the system.
She encouraged the fellows to advocate for ecosystem thinking in a bid to move big and fast. They can do this by joining forces with visionary leaders to adopt a common vision to ensure that systems change happens fast enough to bring the system to equilibrium in time.
Systems thinking helps address sustainability challenges by showing how different parts of a system are connected. It also helps people understand how complex a system is and make smarter decisions to avoid harmful effects.
For more, visit Illumine Earth’s Flourishing Futures Framework.
About the Author
Mercy Nduati is the Engineering for Change Editorial Fellow for 2025. She also works on the editorial staff of the Vennomax Media Network that publishes the Industrial Journal magazine. And she has written for the magazine Kenya Engineer, published by the Institution of Engineers in Kenya. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communication and media from Egerton University.
