New Books Network Elizabeth Sawin, "Multisolving: Creating Systems Change in a Fractured World" (Island Press, 2024)
Oct 11, 2025
Dr. Elizabeth Sawin, Director of the Multi-solving Institute and co-founder of Climate Interactive, explores how to create meaningful change in complex systems. She introduces the concept of multisolving, emphasizing equitable decision-making and local solutions. Elizabeth discusses the importance of including diverse voices and shares her insights on the influence of Donella Meadows. She also addresses the limitations of UN climate processes and advocates for using crises as catalysts for innovative solutions while separating markets from unchecked capital concentration.
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Reframe Co-Benefits As Equal Goals
- Multisolving reframes co-benefits by treating multiple outcomes as equally important rather than primary and secondary.
- This mindset asks: where do solutions for different needs meet and align in practice.
Place‑Fit Examples From Global Bright Spots
- Sawin recounts hospitals, transit, and food-service examples worldwide that advanced climate and health together.
- She found these projects were highly adapted to place and could not be copy-pasted between contexts.
Build Solidarity, Not Transactional Alliances
- Cultivate collaboration across silos and commit seriously to equity when designing interventions.
- Build solidarity so partners show up for each other's issues rather than trading votes transactionally.
