Encyclopedia: A space for exploration

We live in a world of overwhelming complexity—where crises, innovations, and human actions are deeply interconnected. Problems seem interconnected yet we try to solve them in isolation. 

This is not just another database. It is a unique, decades-long project to map the entire ecology of the global challenges we face, and the capacities we possess to overcome them.

World Problems

Social, environmental, economic, and cultural challenges

Human Capacities

Policies, initiatives, skills, and innovations

Connections

Links between problems and solutions
It allows you to explore how problems influence each other and which solutions address multiple challenges at once.

Seeing Problems as Networks

Example: Deforestation

CONNECTED PROBLEMS

Loss of Biodiversity
Climate Change
Indigenous Rights
Global Commodity Markets

CONNECTED STRATEGIES

Reforestation Initiatives
Sustainable Agriculture
Policy Reform
The Encyclopedia reveals that deforestation is not isolated. It links economics, culture, ecology, and governance — and shows where interventions already exist.

For Decision-Makers

It helps uncover vicious problem circles inside organizations:
Siloed departments
Poor communication
Duplication of effort
Budget overruns
     Inter-departmental
     blame
Reinforced silos
Mapping these loops makes systemic failure visible — and therefore actionable.

For Educators

The Encyclopedia demonstrates how seemingly unrelated issues are deeply connected:

Standardized Testing

Pressure to measure performance narrowly

Youth Disengagement

Students lose intrinsic motivation when learning becomes purely transactional

Teacher Burnout

Excessive administrative demands reduce time for meaningful teaching

Educational Inequality

Resource gaps create diverging outcomes across communities

For Transformative Skills

An example of a "new metaphor for governance" or a "transformative approach" that offers a completely new way to think about a stuck problem:

Donald Schön, proposer of the "generative metaphor", sought to reframe the public policy approach that defines a slum area as a 'blight', or a diseased body, to that of a natural community with a stifled natural growth. The policy challenge becomes somehow to transform the ecosystem. The more complex, remedial skills required may then be inspired by considerations familiar to farmers and gardeners rather than by sending in the bulldozers.

Complete Guide Available

Download the full documentation with detailed examples and step-by-step instructions.
Take this comprehensive guide with you for offline reference and deeper exploration.

Teaching Local Entrepreneurship

     
  An example:  "I'd like to start or join a business that will make a measurable contribution to reducing air pollution in My City."

 Search

Problem

Strategy

Implementation




Problem : Urban air pollution


Strategy: Implementing urban air pollution programmes

Implementation: Living Green Walls

     Related Implementation Strategies:
  • Developing sustainable transport systems in cities
  • Controlling transboundary air pollution

 Compile Statistics to Research for My City

Annual health effects of air pollution:

numbers, costs, who pays

Other effects of environmental degradation:

including costs

Map hot spots:

like 'urban canyons' and industrial sites

Map existing pollution-sinks:

like parks, woods, open water
   
 → Identify data gaps

Different Search Routes Uncover Other Implementation Potential:

 🌱 Support urban farming and/or roof gardens

  🌳Plant urban trees


 Convene a Focus Group to Consider

   Situation of My City revealed by research

   Potential for an SME to contribute to improvement on a long-term basis, including identifying the client(s), identifying key         
         competences, cost-benefit analysis
   Query recent/ongoing research in relevant areas
    Map competition or potential for collaboration

Business Potential
YES / NO

 
Civic action potential:

YES / NO