Earth at a Crossroads
Paths to a Sustainable Future

Describes in a non-technical way two alternative visions of the future, in the quest for a sustainable future for global society into the millennium.

Hartmut Bossel (Author)

9780521639958, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 25 June 1998

356 pages, 28 b/w illus. 19 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.9 cm, 0.48 kg

'This is well-argued case for a change in thinking about the way we organise our society, based on a sound understanding of how the complex environmental, economic, and social systems work and interact with each other. Read it and it will change your perceptions of the problems that face us, and the solutions that are possible.' J. N. R. Jeffers, Sustainable Development and World Ecology

Can we reach a future that is both environmentally and socially sustainable? Many issues characterise global developments at the end of the twentieth century: globalization of the economy, unemployment, social problems, environmental pollution, resource waste, ecological destruction. Earth at a Crossroads offers a holistic systems view of the development of human society within the natural environment on which it depends for support. The book stresses the dynamic nature of interconnected feedback processes, traces possible future paths of societal development and their impacts, determines their sustainability, and points at necessary changes. Two alternative visions of the future are presented: a Path A resulting from continuation of current trends, and a contrasting Path B that would result from adhering to principles of sustainability and protection of the natural system in the interests of future generations. This book will become an important reference in the discussion of global society's path into the next millennium.

Part I. Concepts and Tools: 1. Mapping the future
2. Riverbeds of the future
3. Understanding dynamics
4. Assessing progress
Part II. Two Visions of the Future: 5. Infrastructure
6. Economic system
7. Social system
8. Individual development
9. Government
10. Environment, resources, future
Part III. From Vision to Action: 11. World views and principles
12. Agenda for change
Epilogue
Further reading
Notes
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Environmental science, engineering & technology [TQ], Sustainability [RNU], Politics & government [JP]