This approach is often neglected due to political and institutional needs for responses that appear to have quicker consequences. Dynamics of Complex Systems There are a couple other important systemic features of complex systems relating to sustainable development. A second feature of managing complex systems is the role of positive and negative feedback. Positive feedback leads to amplifying a change made in the system. An example would be if the release of greenhouse gases by human action leads to a warming of permafrost that in turn causes more greenhouse gases to be released and thus further increases global warming.
Negative feedback counteracts the force of a given action back towards original conditions.
An example would be if increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere lead to the increased creation of greenhouse gas-sequestering plankton in the oceans and vegetation on the land. Challenging Characteristics of Managing Complex Systems Planet management and social development approaches form a continuum of planning and management responses to SD issues. SD issues exhibit various degrees of several important ecological characteristics. The nature of a particular issue should affect the type of response that is used. An ecosystem approach by Dr. James Kay, University of Waterloo, 1994.