Environmental and human catastrophe looms ever larger for planet Earth. From the need to build sustainable cities to house growing billions to transforming the international trade system to tackling run-away climate change, positive, powerful action is needed now to turn a deepening global crisis into an opportunity for change. This book, the first major output by leading lights from the World Future Council (WFC), a new international lobby for future generations, seeks nothing less than a complete transformation of how humans relate to the world and one another.
As inhabitants of the earth, we are deeply intertwined with our environment. This provocative environmental primer adopts a holistic perspective, embracing the concept of Gaia. The authors view the natural world as a self-generating system that, while adaptable, is ultimately limited. They caution that we are engaged in a zero-sum game, and time is running out.
The text presents a comprehensive overview of various ecosystems, detailing their functions, traditional human interactions, threats, and the extent of losses. It explores the root causes of environmental destruction and discusses ongoing efforts to mitigate these issues, alongside what remains to be accomplished. The authors tackle critical questions about the political, social, and economic forces driving environmental degradation, proposing solutions across agriculture, energy, and society.
Illustrated with informative diagrams and maps, the book examines the balance of nature and delves into specific ecosystems, including ozone, forests, agricultural lands, rivers, wetlands, coasts, seas, coral reefs, and more. It critically assesses the costs of growth, such as urbanization, pollution, and health crises. The authors, editors of "The Ecologist," have been pioneers in recognizing global ecology and addressing pressing environmental issues.
