Programme funded by
the EUROPEAN UNION
HOLISTIC APPROACH AND REGIONAL
DIMENSIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL
ISSUES IN THE BLACK SEA REGION
assoc. prof. Daniela Toneva, PhD
Technical University of Varna, Bulgaria
dept. Ecology and Environmental Protection
e-mail: d_toneva@abv.bg
WHAT IS HOLISM? WHAT DOES THE
HOLISTIC APPROACH MEANS?
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The term holism was coined in 1926 by Jan Smuts in
his book, Holism and Evolution.
Smuts defined holism as "The tendency in nature to
form wholes that are greater than the sum of the parts
through creative evolution”.
Holism may be is sometimes seen as the opposite of
Reductionism.
Reductionism in science says that a complex system
can be explained by reduction to its fundamental
parts.
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(For example, the processes of biology are reducible to
chemistry and the laws of chemistry are explained by
physics).
WHAT IS HOLISM? WHAT DOES THE
HOLISTIC APPROACH MEANS?
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Holism, in the contrary claims that:
The functionality of the systems is different from
functionality of its main subsystems;
Even the full scale subsystem’s efficiency doesn’t
necessarily means efficiency of the System
The complex systems, such as ecosystems and sociosystems evolving through meta-system transitions,
when a new level(s) of complicity and hierarchy
appears.
META- SYSTEM TRANSITION
HOLISTIC APPROACH + ENVIRONMENTAL
ISSUES = ?
The holistic approach considers the
complex systems as a subsystems, a part
of a higher range system
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For example, each ecosystem is a part of the a
higher range system - biosphere. All land and
marine ecosystems are connected to each other
and forms the biosphere. Something more, they
are interconnected and interdependent.
In order to fully understand and predict the
ecosystem’s behavior the holistic approach put
focus on the hierarchical connections and the
whole.
IMPLEMENTATION OF HOLISTIC APPROACH
WHEN?
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Strong hierarchical structures
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Complexity
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Variety of elements
Social issues
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Economical issues
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Environmental issues
Common challenges
HOLISTIC APPROACH IN PROBLEM SOLVING.
THE IMPLEMENTATION STEP BY STEP
HOLISTIC APPROACH IN PROBLEM SOLVING.
HOW TO IMPLEMENT IT EASIER?
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We define the issues as local, national, regional,
global…, but our definition of the environmental
issues depends of our capacity, knowledge, experience
and perspective!
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To achieve better results and to benefit more from
holistic approach implementation:
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Mapping: not only the local and national dimensions
of the issue, but also the regional dimensions
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Follow the aim – ensure the regional impact of
your action
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Networking – cooperate and provide mutual
learning process
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Coordination – work together as a higher range
System
NATIONAL AND REGIONAL DIMENSIONS OF
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN THE BLACK SEA
REGION
I Offer You a Challenge:
1. Write down at least 3 dimensions of
environmental issues (for your country or costal
area)
2. Write down at least 3 regional dimensions of
environmental issues in the Black Sea Region
3. Now Compeer
WATER
Programme funded by the
EUROPEAN UNION
MANAGEMENT
FISHERY AND AQUACULTURE
Programme funded by
the EUROPEAN UNION
COSTAL MANAGEMENT
Programme funded by
the EUROPEAN UNION
DEFORESTATION
Programme funded by
the EUROPEAN UNION
NATURE
Programme funded by
the EUROPEAN UNION
ENERGY AND ENERGY SOURCES
Programme funded by
the EUROPEAN UNION
POLLUTION AND LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY
Programme funded by
the EUROPEAN UNION
WAIST TREATMENT
Programme funded by
the EUROPEAN UNION
PUBLIC AWARENESS AND EDUCATION
Programme funded by
the EUROPEAN UNION
PRESERVATION AND PROTECTED
AREAS
ADDRESSING COMMON CHALLENGES
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Feedback from the documents:
Agenda 21
Black Sea Biodiversity and Landscape
Conservation (2002)
The Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea
Against Pollution (Bucharest)
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NATURA 2000
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Black Sea Basin JOP
Programme funded by
the EUROPEAN UNION
Stop looking at the tree!
SEE THE FOREST!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!