The Problem With DDT
Content Providers(s):CDC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The chemical DDT was used extensively in the 1940s and 1950s as a pesticide on agricultural crops and to minimize the risk of insect-born diseases such as malaria, to American soldiers in tropical areas. The developers of DDT approached their problem in a very linear way; there was an issue with mosquitoes and other pests that caused diseases to humans and crops, so a solution to eliminate the mosquitoes and other pests was developed.
What Happened?
It became clear that DDT was an environmental and health catastrophe. It killed not only pests, but also beneficial insects, such as pollinators, birds, and even humans. The chemical caused fragility in bird eggs, resulting in a severe drop in eagle and other bird populations. Among other human concerns, a study even found that DDT, absorbed into the body, was found in breastmilk, and thus transferred to infants who had otherwise never been exposed to the chemical.
How could this have turned out differently?
The application of any chemical can have unintended consequences, and a solution that only considers the direct problem also causes unintended consequences. Scientists could have considered the environments in which DDT was going to be applied and speculated the impacts on the animals and plant life around the sites in which the chemical would be sprayed.
What are the implications for developing a sustainability mindset?
A quick fix on an electrical panel could solve the problem of lights not working in the present but will likely be a fire hazard in the future. Sending someone suffering from a substance addiction to a rehabilitation centre may help them manage their addictions temporarily, but without continued supports such as housing, employment, healthcare, etc., they may once again succumb to their addiction.
Thinking about how an action will be impactful not only immediately but also in the future is a core element of systems thinking.
Factoring future possibilities into the solution to a problem is applicable in any sector, and you can help prepare learners in the development of a sustainability mindset by helping them grow in systems thinking and related competencies.