State of the World 2013: Is Sustainability Still Possible?

we will be better served by thinking rigorously about biophysical boundaries, how to keep within them, and how—under these unforgiving realities—we can best ensure that all human beings have fair and equitable access to nourishing food, energy, and other prerequisites of a decent life.

Straightforward objectives of where we need to be can help us separate marginal action, political showmanship, and feel-good aspirations from measurable progress.

Academics and activists on both sides of this debate have amassed studies documenting that small acts hasten or distract from greater engagement.

A first assessment, based on international data, indicates that humanity is falling far below the social foundation on eight dimensions for which comparable indicators are available.

They shared a compelling vision of how things could be better, they worked together as engaged citizens, and they changed the rules of the game.

The surplus, or net, energy—the energy liberated from mines or wells after an energy investment of a barrel of oil or a ton of coal—was the life force for the extraordinary economic, technological, social, and other advances of the last two centuries. Without exaggeration, that surplus energy is the foundation of our civilization. Now, as a growing

The suggested climate change boundary of 350 parts per million of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere aims at minimizing the

A significant part of this challenge is to make the work of the biosphere visible in the minds of people, in financial and economic transactions and in society as a whole.

Land Use Changes.