Forecasting and Backcasting Concepts

Front

Forecasting

Back

Driving down a highway and calculating where one will be by nightfall. Assumes no free will.

Front

Backcasting

Back

Deciding where one wants to be by nightfall and planning a day’s drive to get there. Assumes free will to determine the future.

Front

Assumption of Backcasting

Back

Assumes one has free will to determine what tomorrow will be like.

Front

Bay of Fundy Ecosystem Partnership's community goal

Back

Support social well-being and economic sustainability of coastal communities.

Front

Bay of Fundy Ecosystem Partnership's citizen involvement

Back

Facilitating communication and cooperation among citizens for sustainable use and conservation.

Front

Articulated Vision

Back

A more specific statement that various stakeholders can buy into. Still has room for flexibility and negotiation.

Front

Vision statements must reflect what values will prevail.

Back

These may be existing values or call for new ones.

Front

Actions should be equitable, transparent, and someone should be accountable.

Back

Fairness, openness, and responsibility in actions.

Front

Consideration of various systems is crucial.

Back

Consider natural, economic, and social systems.

Front

Emphasis on single resource uses or economic sectors

Back

Conflicts over possible alternative uses being ignored (e.g., Forestry and fishing)