Earth at a Crossroads: Paths to a Sustainable Future

Earth at a Crossroads: Paths to a Sustainable Future

by HartmutBossel (Author)

Synopsis

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.

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More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 354
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 25 Jun 1998

ISBN 10: 0521639956
ISBN 13: 9780521639958
Book Overview: 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.

Media Reviews
'... for the audience of aware, concerned people, futurists, environmentalists, business people, journalists, academics, this book will be considered a classic. It will be considered a 'must-read'.' Donella Meadows, Dartmouth College
'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
Bossel's two scenarios summarize a lot of wisdom and lay out two stark choices, with both of which we are all familiar, in some part of our souls...[F]or the audience of aware, concerned people, futurists, environmentalists, business people, journalists, academics, this book will be considered a classic. It will stimulate much-needed debate and a few rebuttals. It will be considered a 'must-read.' Professor Donella H. Meadows, Environmental Studies Program, Dartmouth College, and lead author of Limits to Growth and Beyond Limits.
Explores alternative future paths of development for humankind and outlines the steps that must be taken to get onto a sustainable path. Journal of Economic Literature
Bossel offers us some real insights into the predictament humankind has gotten itself into. His tepid conclusions, nevertheless, turn this all into a peculiar, perplexing, and safe little excercise in prognostication. George F. Delaurier, The Boston Book Review