Causal loops for analysis of the social dimension to complex systems

Better methods of analysis and communication are needed to analyse civil engineering and environmental systems that have a social dimension. Causal loops are examined as a way to improve analysis. Opposition to landfills is developed to show the role that causal loops could provide in social/technical systems analysis. The example leads to a conclusion that public access to an on-line database of monitoring data could help reduce opposition. Causal loops are highlighted as one way in which we can reorganise our thought and use a new language to analyse our increasingly complex civil engineering and environmental systems.