Not every problem is a wicked problem. Some have categorized problems into tame, complex, and wicked. Use the following flow chart to determine if a problem is likely a tame problem or wicked problem.
Case Studies
Wicked problems are more than just complex problems. The seven characteristics of wicked problems that we have formulated on the CHARACTERISTICS page provide a useful framework for characterizing the unique features of many different wicked problems. Here, we will apply our framework to two wicked problems, anthropogenic climate change and sustainable human space exploration. Our examples differ in terms of the problems’ origins, their relevant stakeholders, impact on daily life, and other features. However, both problems demonstrate all the features required to be wicked problems, and our characteristics allow us to develop a definition of each that is comprehensive even though it is not the only possible definition.
Anthropogenic climate change refers to the human impact on Earth’s climate
Space exploration refers to sending humans beyond low Earth orbit
Click to learn more about anthropogenic climate change
Many causes of climate change have been suggested: the rise of industry, burning fossil fuels, and damaging natural landscapes are just a few. All three of these instances add to greenhouse gas emissions which contribute to the increase of Earth’s temperature at an alarming rate. At the core of these instances are overproduction and overconsumption of goods. Overproduction and overconsumption use Earth’s resources in an environmentally detrimental and unsustainable way. The competitive economy that leads to businesses producing products faster, at the cost of environmental health all contribute to climate change. The environmental changes associated with climate change span across the globe, and disproportionately impact vulnerable populations. Efforts to mitigate anthropogenic climate change require interdisciplinary collaboration, long-term planning, policy changes, and behavioral shifts on a global scale. This is a well-known example of a wicked problem that has been around for a long time. There are many everyday life solutions that have been proposed to help mitigate climate change such as:
- Reduce, reuse, recycle propaganda
- Saying no to straws
- Carpooling
- Using reusable water bottles
Click to learn more about human space exploration
Human space exploration refers to sending humans beyond low Earth orbit for the purpose of exploring planets and other celestial bodies. These explorations will experience longer communication delays, limited or nonexistent resupply missions, and a minimum of 2.5 years in space. Many new technologies are needed to achieve this goal, it is not easily attainable. Sustainable life support systems need to be developed. All necessary supplies need to be brought. Added to that, the spacecraft itself must take off, so weight limits must be kept in mind. The varying solutions on sustainability, life-sustaining practices, and securing program funding all add to the wickedness of this problem. Due to human space research beginning only in 1961, and the recent return to space exploration with the Artemis missions, this is a relatively new wicked problem where the decisions that are made today could greatly impact the direction of solutions. Some potential example solutions could be:
- Regulations limiting space debris
- Secured funding through government programs or private industry
- Perceived public benefit of space exploration
These two examples of wicked problems are different, but can be defined by the characteristics laid out on the CHARACTERISTICS page.
| Characteristic | Anthropogenic Climate Change | Human Space Exploration |
|---|---|---|
No Universal Definition | Can be defined by increasing temperatures, changes in climate, emission of greenhouse gases, increasing population, or overproduction of goods. | Can be defined by how long humans can last in space without long-term effects, how far space can be explored, how space travel can be made sustainable, or creating a constant funding source for space exploration. |
No Universal Solution | Can be considered fixed when global temperatures stop rising, or when ecosystems have stabilized to accommodate the new climate. | Can be considered fixed when humans can survive in space for longer than 2.5 years without long-term effects or when there is no added space debris to pollute low earth orbit and prevent future launches from safely getting to orbit. |
Good and Bad | Recycling reduces the need to replenish goods and release greenhouse gases, however, recycling may also release greenhouse gases. | Growing crops in space is good for astronaut health by providing fresh nutrients and mental satisfaction, however it adds complications such as added weight, requires space, and resources, and increases humidity and oxygen that the current life support systems will need to account for. |
One-shot Operation | Electric vehicles do not require continuous use of gas however, building the battery to power an electric vehicle requires greenhouse gas emissions. | The environmental harm such as material waste, chemical contamination, greenhouse gas emissions, and noise pollution associated with building and launching a spaceship cannot be undone. |
Infinite Possible Solutions | There are more ways to address greenhouse gas emissions, overconsumption, and increasing population than what can be thought of by a limited group of people. | There are more ways to address human life sustainability, space debris pollution, and funding limits than what can be thought of by a limited group of people. |
Interconnected | Deforestation limits the sequestration of greenhouse gases, the inequitable distribution of resources adds greenhouse gases. | Each launch adds to pollution on Earth or in orbit. Greenhouse gases released contribute to anthropogenic climate change and systemic racism plays into who works on building spacecraft and who is able to go into space. |
Conflicting Stakeholder Views | People who profit off of businesses that cause climate change have different values than people who are trying to enact rules for how to take care of the climate. | The government aims for national prestige, academics to further scientific knowledge, and the public for terrestrial technology development. Varying standpoints include funding, health knowledge, time, resources. |