Sustainability
A Very Short Introduction
Published on 23. January 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
176 pages
978-0-19-286962-3 (ISBN)
Description
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 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.
Reviews / Votes
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 Rockstroem, 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 *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Illustrations
27 B&W images
Dimensions
Height: 170 mm
Width: 108 mm
Thickness: 11 mm
Weight
162 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-286962-3 (9780192869623)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
01/2025
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€9.49
Available for download
E-Book
12/2024
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€9.49
Available for download
Person
Saleem H. Ali holds the Blue and Gold Distinguished Professorship in Geography and Spatial Sciences at the University of Delaware and is Honorary Professor at the University of Queensland. He is a National Geographic Explorer (having travelled for research to over 150 countries) and was chosen as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. He also served on the seven-member science panel of the Global Environment Facility (the world's largest multilateral trust fund for the environment, held in trusteeship by the World Bank). He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and the Royal Geographical Society in the United Kingdom, and serves on the boards of Adventure Scientists and Mediators Beyond Borders International. His books include Treasures of the Earth: Need Greed and a Sustainable Future, Environmental Diplomacy (OUP, 2014), and Earthly Order (OUP, 2022).
Content
1: Seeking 'sustainability': origins and concepts 2: How energy and materials flow through systems 3: Technological and economic interventions for a sustainable society 4: Tipping points and resilience 5: Renewability, circularity, and industry 6: Anthropogenic change and sustainability