Earth at a Crossroads

Paths to a Sustainable Future
Erscheinungsjahr 2014
ISBN: 978-0-521-63995-8
Verlag: Cambridge University Press

Buch, Englisch, 354 Seiten, Format (B × H): 152 mm x 229 mm, Gewicht: 516 g

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.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Bossel, Harmut

Bossel, Hartmut

Fachgebiete

• Geowissenschaften Umweltwissenschaften Angewandte Ökologie
• Geowissenschaften Umweltwissenschaften Nachhaltigkeit
• Technische Wissenschaften Umwelttechnik | Umwelttechnologie Umwelttechnik
• Geowissenschaften Umweltwissenschaften Umwelttechnik

Inhaltsverzeichnis

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 Futre: 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.