We are influenced by many interdependent, tangible and intangible systems, from people and institutions to values and norms.

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Every ecosystem has at least one keystone species - an organism that is critical to the survival of others in the ecosystem, and to keeping the system in balance. Its removal can cause irreparable damage. This is exactly what happened with the decline of sea otters off the coast of Alaska. In the 1990s the hunting of whales and sea lions removed two primary food sources for local orcas. When the orcas then began to increase their hunting of sea otters, the sea otter population dropped dramatically, causing sea urchins to reproduce unchecked. The urchins killed off the huge underwater kelp forests which normally provided food and shelter for thousands of ocean species.*

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Multiple ecosystems work with each other all the time. Perhaps the best known example is of the different systems and relationships connected to a child: the family (parents and siblings), the school (teachers), the state (funding for education types), culture and class (norms and attitudes).**

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So to understand how to influence one system, we need to be aware of the others that interact with it. 

 

In Chapter 1 we showed how to use a soil chart to map a single system. In this Chapter we propose extending this soil chart to see how this system is interacting with and influencing others. We look at dependencies, tipping points (to consider the key moments that could kickstart change) and consequences (to see what might happen if we increased or decreased certain factors at different levels).

 

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In 1999, Bolivia, under pressure from the World Bank, privatized the water system in Cochabamba, a city of 800,000 people. The government handed control to a foreign company, Aguas del Tunari, which led to severe price hikes and the takeover of local water systems, creating widespread discontent.

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Campaigners sought to stop the privatization, reverse the water price hikes, and protect the local water systems. They did this in the  following ways:

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1. Connecting Systems and Stakeholders:

   • Local Response: Initially, local professionals and small-scale farmers raised concerns but were ignored. However, as the impact spread, various groups including water cooperatives, neighborhood associations, labor unions, and factory workers joined forces.

   • Forming a Coalition: These groups formed La Coordinadora, led by union activist Óscar Olivera, uniting diverse stakeholders to fight against the privatization.

2. Shutdown of the country:

   • Public Mobilizations: La Coordinadora organized mass protests and road blockades, involving urban and rural workers, students, and ordinary citizens. They demanded the government end the contract with Aguas del Tunari, repeal the new water law, and reverse the price hikes. The protests reached a peak in April 2000 with widespread demonstrations and blockades.

   • Symbolic Actions and Solidarity: Protesters used symbolic actions like burning unpaid water bills and organizing non-violent demonstrations, which gathered widespread support and media attention. Even as protests sometimes faced police violence, the diverse participation from all parts of society showed strong unity against the privatization - centering the message of the fundamental right to water for human life.

3. Media and Global Attention:

   • International Awareness: News of the protests and the involvement of Bechtel (a major corporation) spread globally through media and internet campaigns, drawing international attention and support.

 

The government underestimated how well interconnected local, regional and national actors across the Who and How levels could combine to effectively shut down the country’s infrastructure and economy.

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The government eventually agreed to revoke Aguas del Tunari's contract and return control of the water system to public hands. The government also modified the water law to protect local water systems and ensure public consultation on rates.

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Footnotes: *https://www.rewildingbritain.org.uk/reintroductions-key-species/keystone-species-and-trophic-cascades

**Gerald Zaltzman, https://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/the-subconscious-mind-of-the-consumer-and-how-to-reach-it

**Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory https://www.simplypsychology.org/bronfenbrenner.html#The-Five-Ecological-Systems 

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