Web 2.0 Solutions to Wicked Climate Change Problems

One of the most pressing ‘wicked problems’ facing humankind is climate change together with its many interrelated environmental concerns. The complexity of this set of problems can be overwhelming as there is such diversity among both the interpretations of the scientific evidence and the viability of possible solutions. Among the social technologies associated with the second generation of the Internet known as Web 2.0, there are tools that allow people to communicate, coordinate and collaborate in ways that reduce their carbon footprint and a potential to become part of the climate change solution. However the way forward is not obvious or easy as Web 2.0, while readily accepted in the chaotic social world, is often treated with suspicion in the more ordered world of business and government. This paper applies a holistic theoretical sense-making framework to research and practice on potential Web 2.0 solutions to climate change problems. The suite of issues, activities and tools involved are viewed as an ecosystem where all elements are dynamic and interrelated. Through such innovative thinking the Information Systems community can make a valuable contribution to a critical global problem and hence find a new relevance as part of the solution. Disciplines Business | Social and Behavioral Sciences Publication Details Kazlauskas, A. & Hasan, H. M. (2009). Web 2.0 Solutions to Wicked Climate Change Problems. Australasian Journal of Information Systems, 19 (2), 23-36. This journal article is available at Research Online: http://ro.uow.edu.au/commpapers/3051 Australasian Journal of Information Systems Volume 16 Number 2 2009 23 WEB 2.0 SOLUTIONS TO WICKED CLIMATE CHANGE PROBLEMS Alanah Kazlauskas School of Business and Informatics (NSW), Australian Catholic University, Sydney, Australia Email: [email protected] Helen Hasan School of Economics, University of Wollongong Wollongong 2522, Australia Email: [email protected]