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| VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 |
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Limits to Growth, The 30 Year Update
30 years ago, a group of young scientists at MIT published a book that
shocked the world. The Limits to Growth, lead-authored by Donella Meadows,
Jorgen Randers and Dennis Meadows became a global bestseller that awoke us
to the possibility that humanity could exceed earth's limits. Their research
has now been revisited in Limits to Growth, The 30 Year Update.
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With vivid
examples and accessible language, the book makes the case that not only is
"overshoot" possible, but that it is actually occurring. The original Limits
to Growth was an inspiration to the development of the Ecological Footprint
concept, which tracks and documents global overshoot, and we are pleased
that the new book uses the Ecological Footprint extensively to explain its premise.
What is Overshoot? Today, humanity's Ecological Footprint is over 20% larger
than what the planet can regenerate and we maintain this overdraft by liquidating
our natural resources. The erosion of natural resources is a vastly underestimated
threat and one that is difficult to address.
When Limits to Growth was first published 30 years ago, critics discounted the
message and argued that the state of the world would progressively improve for
all people. But today, the book's warning has not lost any relevance. Although
there is reason for hope, there is also solid evidence that the challenges
identified 30 years ago are becoming a reality. The 30-year update brings to
the public domain a message of urgency: the Earth has a carrying capacity and
we are over-extending its limits.
Related links:
Chelsea Green Publishing
Buy on Amazon.com
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