ABSTRACT
Chapter 3 explores today’s global system through social, economic, political, and technological aspects that underpin growth. It also highlights the evidence on the state of ecosystems’ depletion. The paradigm of economic growth, which is driven by a capitalistic system governed by trade and technology development, is characterised by instability. This growth paradigm, delivered through the international structure of financial and debt money systems, is at the core of the sustainability dilemma. The chapter shows how the issues related to resource scarcity have evolved and how land systems are performing, as well as how climate change affects the complex interconnection between the two. The need for an energy transition towards a green economy is introduced. The chapter concludes with reflections on the differences between today’s world and the one portrayed in the Limits to Growth in 1972, and suggests a need for actions from the System Policy Science community and governments in general.
