Mapping causes and solutions

Activity concept

This activity uses the metaphor of a tree - with its roots, trunk and branches - to support reflection on causes of the problems - and the harms they bring - or on solutions and their possible consequences. 

Stage: Noticing, Sense-making

Format: In person, Online, Hybrid

Work Modality: Small groups, Large groups, Plenary

Location: Outdoor, Indoor

Duration: 60mins

Topic(s): Pollinators

Tools

Post-its, Pens, crayons etc..., Poster template

Team

Facilitator / moderator, Scientific expert (e.g., entomologist)

• You can involve an expert, possibly an entomologist but even better someone with broader knowledge, who can contribute to the discussion with a more technical perspective on the causes, solutions and their possible effects.   

Process

The basic process for both Problems tree and Solutions tree is very similar. Strat with brainstorming to jot down as many initial ideas as possible. You can start by scanning the results of previous activities of the noticing phase, e.g., the >guided tour, or by using the 1-2-4-all method. 

Subsequently, invite participants to organise the initial ideas by merging similar ones and grouping those that belong together. Such categorisation can be done in different ways, whether by actors they are linked to, the time scale, location, underlying reason, type etc. Afterwards, visualise connections by drawing links, e.g., between different causes that reinforce each other or between solutions and the different impacts they can support. 

One trapping when filling in the Solutions tree is to focus only on the positive consequences of the solutions. Meanwhile, even the best-intended interventions can have negative consequences. It is important you remind participants to think about these too.

Compatibility

• Discussing the problems and associated threats can easily lead to eco-anxiety. It’s good to link the Problems tree to an activity with a constructive focus.
• When discussing the causes and harms as well as consequences of the solutions you might want to cross-check these two canvases with the results of >actors mapping to understand: Who is responsible for the causes? Who is harmed by their effects? Who is affected by the consequences of solutions? You can use actors mapping to both trigger and group ideas mapped on the two 'trees'.
• Solutions tree can bring up many ideas that can become the starting point for >co-design activities. To find the most interesting potential solutions, give participants two types of stickers and invite them to vote: blue for the ideas that are relevant in their context, green for the ones they find most exciting – which ideas gathered most of both colours?
• It might be better not to jump from problems immediately to solutions. Indeed, you might want to fill in the Problems tree during the noticing phase, as a first summary of impressions and insights. The Solutions tree fits most naturally as a transition point between sense-making and co-design phases.