How optimism and collaboration can help us fix climate change

Dr. Barbara Holtmann

The fact that we bring new humans into the world every day is a clear sign for social transformation expert Barbara Holtmann that we are generally optimistic about the future, even if so much of it seems broken. But, what does that future look like for you when it’s fixed? Is there anyone else who shares your perspective? And what of climate change? How might we address its overwhelming, petrifying implications? Barbara posits that we could start by holding one another accountable and not taking offence when others ask us to do the right thing. But taking action has its internal dynamics. One way to ensure we stay on course, in line with our vision, is to work with those who share our outlook. Through collaboration, we can do extraordinary things.

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Barbara Holtmann developed the What it Looks Like When it’s Fixed systems model and methodology as an outcome of her doctoral thesis. Published in 2010, the methodology enables clarity of purpose and effective collaboration where there are many diverse stakeholder needs, views, and inputs in a development or transformation setting. Drawing on international and local theory and practice, the methodology is a home-grown South African innovation, implemented solely by her organisation Fixed.Africa, and used in a variety of complex settings.