Sustainability
A Very Short Introduction
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Oxford University Press
Publishing:23rd Jan '25
£8.99
This title is due to be published on 23rd January, and will be despatched as soon as possible.
Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring The growing concern about global environmental change and human impacts on the planet has led to the emergence of a broad field of study on the 'sustainability' of human societies. The term's common usage can be traced back to the advent of the Earth Summit in 1992 when 'sustainable development' was broadly embraced by the international community as an ostensibly win-win proposition for economic development, social inclusion, and ecological conservation. Yet both the natural science underpinnings and the social implications of a quest for sustainability have been diffuse. There is a need for a coherent synthesis which draws out key themes from both natural and social analysis of the concept. This Very Short Introduction begins by introducing the concept of sustainability and how it has developed. The central chapters consider four key concepts crucial to sustainability: a) material and energy flows in consumption and production; b) technological interventions for a sustainable society; c) tipping points, and resilience in natural and social systems; and d) renewability and circularity in the economy. In the concluding chapter, Saleem H. Ali explores political means of managing anthropogenic change for a more sustainable society. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
The pursuit of sustainability is entraining such an extraordinary flourishing of hopes, ideas, inventions and scams that it surely warrants its own World Expo in the near future. Fortunately, Saleem H. Ali has already gifted us what amounts to a catalog of what that Expo should have on display. He takes us on a critical tour of expected pavilions - nature's services, circular systems, well-being metrics, tipping points, governance innovations and more. But he also introduces us to an eclectic selection of the people - scholars, activists, artists - who have helped to build those pavilions, to connect them, and so to foster today's halting but real progress toward sustainable development. A must read, and an enjoyable one. * William C. Clark, Harvey Brooks Research Professor, Harvard University, Member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences *
Sustainability science has come a long way, moving from integrated environmental science to social-ecological systems research for a prosperous and equitable future for people on planet Earth. The key insight is not that humanity faces potentially unmanageable environmental risks. It is that we have increasing evidence that sustainability is the only path to a healthier, more stable and modern future. Summarizing this journey and the state of knowledge is no small feat. Saleem Ali succeeds, in a must read for all who want to succeed in the future. * Johan Rockström, Professor in Earth system science, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Winner of the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement *
If you are beginning to explore the idea of sustainability, there is no better starting point than Ali's tour. And even if you are an expert, Ali's integrative view will help you connect diverse approaches and frameworks into a more comprehensive understanding. Sustainability itself is a complex topic and it immediately engages with other important concepts and approaches, including ecological economics, industrial ecology, life cycle analysis, planetary boundaries, tipping points, and many more. This short volume gives a coherent overview showing the links between key ideas while noting their history. * Thomas Dietz, University Distinguished Professor, Michigan State University, Member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, Author: Decisions for Sustainability *
ISBN: 9780192869623
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
176 pages