Global System Mapping

- Create understanding of how energy systems connect industries, infrastructure, and policy



- Show climate impacts on people around the world



- Discuss the role of governments and large corporations in shaping emissions



- Develop systems thinking and causal analysis skills

### Preparation



- Download and familiarize yourself with facilitator guide and supporting materials



- Prepare a workspace (physical or digital) for mapping



- Have a large paper sheet or whiteboard ready (or digital tool like Miro, Jamboard, Google Slides)



- Prepare sticker dots (preferably three different colors) or have markers ready



- Have sticky notes, index cards, and pens available



- Prepare or print category cards



- Have risk cards available for later sections



- Test digital tools if using online format



- Set up ball for brainstorming round



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## Part A: Welcome and Brainstorming (15 minutes)



### A1. Circle Introduction (2 minutes)



**Facilitator Script:**



> "Today we'll explore how energy systems are not just technical—they're social, political, and historical. We'll map out how humans produce carbon emissions in daily life and globally."



### A2. Ball Throwing Brainstorm (10 minutes)



**Setup:**



- Stand in a circle (or use breakout rooms if virtual)



- Have one facilitator throw/pass the ball



**Prompt:**



> "We will throw the ball from person to person. Whoever catches the ball, name one activity where humans produce carbon emissions in daily life and globally. Think of anything: transportation, heating, eating, working, entertainment, manufacturing—anything that requires energy. One idea per turn, then pass the ball."



**Facilitation:**



- Encourage rapid, continuous idea sharing



- Allow passing if someone can't think of anything



- Capture ideas on sticky notes as they're called out



- Continue for 10 minutes or until ideas slow down



**Key Activities to Ensure Coverage:**



If participants miss major sectors, add them:



- Transport (cars, planes, trains, shipping)



- Food production (agriculture, livestock, processing, packaging)



- Manufacturing and industry (metals, chemicals, textiles, electronics)



- Heating and cooling (buildings, homes, offices)



- Energy production itself (coal, gas, nuclear plants)



- Internet and communications



- Healthcare



- Retail and consumption



### A3. Clustering by Sector (3 minutes)



**Second Facilitator's Role:**



- Takes the sticky notes called out



- Groups similar ideas together on the board/large paper



- Creates sector categories as they emerge:



- Transport



- Food Production



- Manufacturing/Industry



- Housing/Buildings



- Energy Sector



- Technology/Internet



- Healthcare



- Retail/Commerce



- Other



**Facilitation Check:**



> "Is anything missing? What areas of human life haven't we covered?"



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## Part B: Mapping Connections (15 minutes)



**Question to Group:**



> "Now we can see all these different activities. But they're not separate—they're connected. How are the sectors connected to each other?"



**Activity:**



- With the sticky note sectors visible, ask participants to identify connections



- Draw arrows between sectors showing relationships



- Example connections:



- Transport → Food (transporting food)



- Manufacturing → Transport (shipping goods)



- Energy → All sectors (everything needs energy)



- Food → Healthcare (nutrition impacts health)



- Retail → Transport (moving goods)



**Discussion During Mapping:**



- "Which connections between energy uses are the most surprising or unexpected?"



- "What uses seem to rely most on others—and why?"



- "Which points on the map might reflect hidden forms of energy use or global impact?"



**Key Insight to Develop:**



Systems are interconnected. You can't solve one problem without considering others. Everything is linked.



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## Part C: Carbon Emission Intensity (15 minutes)



Now color-code the sectors by their climate impact.



**Introduce Color Codes:**



**Red/High = High CO2 emissions: heavy polluters**



- Examples: airlines, cement factories, steel production, coal power plants, livestock farming



**Yellow/Medium = Medium CO2 emissions**



- Examples: food transport, shipping containers, car manufacturing, internet infrastructure



**Green/Low = Low CO2 emissions**



- Examples: walking, cycling, solar-powered lighting, local food systems, renewable energy



**Activity:**



> "Now, look at your map. It's your turn to work on it. Put one dot on each sector that shows its carbon intensity. High impact gets red, medium gets yellow, low gets green."



Participants place colored stickers on relevant points.



**Discussion After Coloring:**



- "Which parts of this map create the most pollution or damage to nature?"



- "What do you notice about which things use more energy and which use less?"



- "Are the highest impact sectors necessary to modern life?"



- "What would happen if we eliminated the highest impact sectors?"



**System-Level Observation:**



The map becomes a visual representation of global emissions. Patterns emerge. Interconnections become clear.



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## Part D (OPTIONAL): Climate Inequality Walk Integration (25 minutes)



This section connects the abstract system map to human stories and justice. Use if you have extended time or want to link to Method 3.3 (Climate Inequality Walk).



**Bridge Statement:**



> "This map shows us the technical systems creating emissions. But maps are abstract. Real people live with these impacts in very different ways. Let's explore that."



**Proceed with Climate Inequality Walk:**



1. Groups of 2-3 participants select a story card (or read case) from facilitator materials



2. Each story represents someone affected by climate change from a different part of the world



3. Groups read and discuss the story



4. Groups return to the system map



### D2. Mapping Injustice (20 minutes)



> "With your story in mind, look at the system map. Which energy uses, like transport, production, communication, are most prominent in your story? Place your story from the climate walk on the map, quietly."



**Facilitation:**



- Participants place story cards on the map near relevant sectors



- Create spatial connection between abstract systems and human impacts



**Discussion:**



> "Now present your story. Place risk cards that fit the story and explain why."



**Risk Cards Include:**



- Environmental risk



- Global injustice



- Community health risk



- Food or water insecurity



**Debrief Question:**



> "Looking at all these stories on our system map, which changes could reduce these risks?"



Refer to facilitator materials for ideas for change.



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## Part E: System-Level Debrief (10 minutes)



**Reflection Questions:**



1. **Interconnection:** "What did you learn about how different human activities are connected?"



2. **Responsibility:** "Who is responsible for these emissions? Corporations? Governments? Individuals? All?"



3. **Solutions:** "Looking at the whole system, where are the leverage points for change?"



4. **Feasibility:** "Which sectors could transition to low-carbon most easily? Which would be hardest?"



5. **Justice:** (If you did Part D) "How does this map show climate injustice? Who benefits from high-emission systems and who pays the cost?"



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## Modifications



### Time Variations



- **A-C (45 min):** Focus on system interconnections and emissions intensity



- **D-E (45 min):** Essential for workshops covering climate justice aspects



- **A-E (90 min):** Complete exercise including human stories and justice analysis



### Difficulty Levels



- **Basic (45 min):** A-C, focus on major sectors and obvious connections



- **Intermediate (60-75 min):** A-C plus some story integration



- **Advanced (90 min):** Full A-E with deep analysis of justice and systems thinking



### Format Options



- **Physical:** Large paper, sticky notes, markers, physical space



- **Digital:** Collaborative tools (Miro, Google Jamboard, FigJam, draw.io)



- **Hybrid:** Create map together, photograph, then analyze digitally



### Localization



- Use local examples of emissions sources



- Include local industries and economic activities



- Feature stories from participants' regions or similar climates



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## Key Learning Points to Highlight



- Energy systems are complex and highly interconnected



- No sector operates in isolation



- Climate impacts are distributed unequally



- Visible systems (like transport) are just part of the story—hidden emissions matter too



- Solutions must address system-level issues, not just individual choices



- Understanding systems helps design more effective interventions



## Why This Method Works



- Visual mapping makes abstract systems concrete



- Interactive creation ensures engagement and ownership



- Color-coding makes emissions intensity immediately obvious



- Discussion develops critical thinking about causation



- Combination with stories adds emotional dimension and justice lens



- Systems thinking is essential for understanding climate change



## Notes for Facilitator



Research shows that understanding climate impacts on a human level (through stories) is key to activating people to change how we use energy and organize production and economy.



- **A-C (45 min) standalone:** Use as additional resource for workshops focused on energy and climate



- **D-E (45 min):** Essential in workshops covering justice aspects of climate change



- **Full A-E (90 min):** Ideal for comprehensive climate justice training



**Facilitation Tips:**



- Maintain positive tone even when discussing difficult topics



- Use systems thinking language: "What feedback loops?" "What leverage points?" "What are the drivers?"



- Avoid blaming—focus on understanding complex causes



- Help participants see themselves in the system (everyone participates)



- Be prepared for emotional reactions to injustice—validate while staying analytical



- Close on possibility: systems can change if we understand them well enough



## Related Methods



- **Follows:** Method 3.1 (Who Emits What) for context on global emissions



- **Leads to:** Method 3.3 (Climate Inequality Walk) for human stories and justice focus



- **Bridges to:** Method 3.4 (Climate Wars) for conflict analysis



- **Supports:** Module 4 discussions on policy and systemic change

- Download and familiarize yourself with facilitator guide and supporting materials



- Prepare a workspace (physical or digital) for mapping



- Have a large paper sheet or whiteboard ready (or digital tool like Miro, Jamboard, Google Slides)



- Prepare sticker dots (preferably three different colors) or have markers ready



- Have sticky notes, index cards, and pens available



- Prepare or print category cards



- Have risk cards available for later sections



- Test digital tools if using online format



- Set up ball for brainstorming round



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