Needs-Based Systems Map
Hawaii is one of the most remote, highly populated places on the planet. It is also one of the most ecologically and socio-culturally diverse places. In many ways, our islands and our island community are like a mini version of the entire planet.
The natural boundaries of our islands make it clear that we have limited natural resources. In order to live within our means and become self-reliant, we have to prioritize our needs to provide enough of our own energy, food and water and move toward zero waste.
Once the needs and their associated enrichers or maintainers have been identified, they can be plotted onto the Map for Improving Quality of Life by Satisfying Needs. The map can scale from individual to household to business to township to district to county to state to country to global.
The map has four interrelated parts. The left half identifies the emotional, mental & spiritual aspects of life and the right half identifies the physical. Looking at it the other way, the top half represents the individual side of life, while the bottom suggests the group. By putting these divisions together: upper-left = individual emotional, mental & spiritual; upper-right = individual physical; lower-left = group emotional, mental & spiritual (culture, social norms, mores); and lower-right = group physical (environment, economy).
The needs and respective goals are prioritized as short-, mid- and long-term. Each goal will have a plan defining what is needed and how it will be achieved. The satisfaction of needs exponentially increases potential for prosperity due to the amount of time and emotional, mental & spiritual focus that is freed up. It also relieves excessive costs over the long-term by systemically addressing the roots of our socio-politico-economic challenges.