There are two principal ways of dealing with the complexity of systems: complexity reduction and complexity absorption. The former attempts to reduce the complexity of a system and its interdependencies by the compartmentalisation of information in new theories, models, or rules thereby reducing the amount of information that needs to be processed by decision-makers. Conversely, complexity absorption may involve increasing the diversity of participants as well organisations, including the creation of new institutions. Decentralised decision-making, networking, and participatory methods are additional strategies to absorb complexity. Complex adaptive systems bridge complexity and evolution principles and encompass many physical and social phenomena from the behaviour of organisms in ecological systems to the evolution of human societies. What is still needed is an approach that treats the Earth as one whole, complex, integrated, adaptive system with associated mechanisms such as adaptive cycles that focus on going through resilience and onto transformation.