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Economic Growth and Sustainability
Systems Thinking for a Complex World
Issues in sustainable economic development are illuminated by conceptual applications of systems thinking
Karen L. Higgins (Author)
9780128022047, Elsevier Science
Paperback, published 17 November 2014
228 pages
22.9 x 15.1 x 1.6 cm, 0.32 kg
"There are many books on systems thinking and many on sustainability BUT none to my knowledge that brings them together. This book brings these two topics together in a unique and refreshing manner." --David Sundaram, The University of Auckland "Karen Higgins makes use of system thinking to explain the many linkages and interactions within a globally needed sustainable development. Reflecting her explanation about environmental damage, economy and society (mainly caused by growth) with causal loop diagrams and illustrative examples without losing the scientific background makes the book a must to read. I’ll look forward to using the book in class." --René Scheumann, Technische Universität Berlin "The author analyses the challenges posed by the sustainability concept from a new perspective. A lot of literature has been written on sustainability, but this book shows an innovative path to reach a sustainable development by ‘blending the two faces of happiness: instant gratification vs. sustainable well-being." --Marzia Traverso, Technische Universität Berlin
How to sustain our world for future generations has perplexed us for centuries. We have reached a crossroads: we may choose the rocky path of responsibility or continue on the paved road of excess that promises hardship for our progeny. Independent efforts to resolve isolated issues are inadequate. Different from these efforts and from other books on the topic, this book uses systems thinking to understand the dominant forces that are shaping our hope for sustainability. It first describes a mental model - the bubble that holds our beliefs - that emerges from preponderant world views and explains current global trends. The model emphasizes economic growth and drives behavior toward short-term and self-motivated outcomes that thwart sustainability. The book then weaves statistical trends into a system diagram and shows how the economic, environmental, and societal contributors of sustainability interact. From this holistic perspective, it finds leverage points where actions can be most effective and combines eight areas of intervention into an integrated plan. By emphasizing both individual and collective actions, it addresses the conundrum of how to blend human nature with sustainability. Finally, it identifies primary three lessons we can learn by applying systems thinking to sustainability. Its metaphor-rich and accessible style makes the complex topic approachable and allows the reader to appreciate the intricate balance required to sustain life on Earth.
1: The Secret’s in the Overlap - Sustainability as an Integrated System2: Living in a Bubble - A Mental Model of How the World Works3: The Ant Who Lives Forever - A Systems Interpretation of Our Mental Model4: Addicted to Growth - Economic Growth Promises Happiness and Well-Being5: Two Faces of Happiness - Instant Gratification vs. Sustainable Well-Being6: The Bubble Bursts - Population and Pollution Become Our Concern7: Applying the Brakes - Factors That Limit Growth8: The ‘I’s Have It - A Systems View of Sustainability9: Creating Balance - Effective Interventions10: Pieces of the Puzzle Level I - Paradigm Shifts11: Pieces of the Puzzle Level II - Structural Changes12: Pieces of the Puzzle Level III - Transition to the Future13: From Bud to Blossom - Nurturing Sustainable Stewardship14: The Global Commons and the Uncommon Globe - System Insights and Conclusions
