Guidelines

Two jigsaws and what they show

This page is intended as a supplement to one of a set of hands-on learning tools, for use alongside the tools. For more information about these learning tools, see this page

This hands-on puzzle gives a hint about one of the three root causes of all environmental problems (and its positive opposite).

This jigsaw shows the three root causes of all environmental problems.

Can you work out what they are?

Quick links

Hints / make it easier

blank
blank

These jigsaws show the three root causes of all environmental problems (the red jigsaw) and their positive opposites (the blue jigsaw).

These are the RoundView Guidelines for a sustainable future.

blank

There are four guidelines – three are about how we fit in with the natural world, and the fourth is about the impact of our actions on people, because we are also part of the system!

Legend (what do the symbols mean?

Click here to see what each image stands for.

Sunlight, the input into the system (apart from a few meteorites) and the source of our energy and food (through photosynthesis) Hover over photosynthesis / definition: Photosynthesis “Photosynthesis is the process by which plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create oxygen and energy in the form of sugar”.

https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/photosynthesis/

Plants, the producers (able to make food through photosynthesis)

Animals, the consumers (all consumers, including people, rely on plants for their food)

Mushroom and worm, examples of decomposers (break down ‘waste’ materials such as poo and turn it back into nutrients (food for the plants).

This symbolises all people.

Note that in the Misguided Lines jigsaw, there are many unhappy people – this shows that even whilst we cause all of these environmental problems, there are many people who go hungry, and do not have access to the things they need for their health and wellbeing.

Heat, the only output from the system (apart from a few rockets and a tiny amount of hydrogen and helium)

blank
blank

This symbolises drilling for fossil fuels and mining.

This symbolises the ‘technical loop’ – where we make, use, and re-use products and resources.

C: Carbon
N: Nitrogen
S: Sulphur
O: Oxygen

These are some of the key building blocks of life.

Ideas for action

Click to see examples of what we can do.


The RoundView shows us that it is possible for us to create a world where all people and nature cna thrive, by clarifying the opposites of the root causes of all environmental problems. We can all take actions to help move in this direction in our our homes, neighbourhoods, schools and work.

We can all be part of transformative change – helping to reimagine how we live so we can fit within natural cycles! We can join local groups creating change, and we can contribute to new plans and visions for our local areas.

See examples of how the RoundView is inspiring change here

Whilst we think about how to change the way we design our homes, neighbourhoods, landscapes and how we make things so they move towards the RoundView guidelines, we also need to consider the impact of our decisions and actions on people. How can we create a world where everyone has the opportunity to improve their health and wellbeing?

There are many organisations promoting fair trade and social development!
You can fiInd out more about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals here.

Learning resources in different languages

Different languages

We are working on translations of all of the materials into different languages. Below are the languages that are coming soon.

  • Arabic
  • French / Francais
  • Mandarin
  • Scottish Gaelic
  • Shona (Zimbabwe)
  • Spanish / Espangnol
  • Urdu