ABSTRACT
The response of the international community to the pressing socio-ecological problems has been framed around the concept of ‘sustainable development’. The ecological pressure, however, has continued to rise and mainstream sustainability discourse has proven to be problematic. It contains an instrumental view of the world, a strong focus on technological solutions, and the premise that natural and human-made ‘capitals’ are substitutable. This trajectory, which is referred to as ‘weak sustainability’, reproduces inequalities, denies intrinsic values in nature, and jeopardises the wellbeing of humans as well as other beings.
Based on the assumptions of strong sustainability, this edited book presents practical and theoretical alternatives to today’s unsustainable societies. It investigates and advances pathways for humanity that are ecologically realistic, ethically inclusive, and receptive to the task’s magnitude and urgency. The book challenges the traditional anthropocentric ethos and ontology, economic growth-dogma, and programmes of ecological modernisation. It discusses options with examples on different levels of analysis, from the individual to the global, addressing the economic system, key sectors of society, alternative lifestyles, and experiences of local communities.
Examining key topics including human–nature relations and wealth and justice, this book will be of great interest to students and scholars of environmental and development studies, ecological economics, environmental governance and policy, sustainable business, and sustainability science.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part I|37 pages
Roots of unsustainability
chapter 3|18 pages
Rethinking Economic Ontologies
part II|37 pages
Ethical foundations
chapter 5|19 pages
The Energy Ethic and Strong Sustainability
part III|54 pages
Public policy and urbanisation
chapter 6|17 pages
Ecosystem Infrastructure for Sustainability
chapter 7|18 pages
Urban Ecosystem Services and Stakeholders
chapter 8|17 pages
Meat Consumption and the Environmental Unsustainability of Economic Growth
part IV|56 pages
Business management and investment
chapter 9|19 pages
Business Models Based on Strongly Sustainable Entrepreneurship
chapter 10|17 pages
Biodiversity as Integral to Strongly Sustainable Supply Chains
part V|40 pages
Identity, needs, and wellbeing
chapter 12|20 pages
Strongly Sustainable Consumption and A Case of Mistaken Identity
chapter 13|18 pages
Being Matters
part VI|39 pages
Reconnect to the Earth
chapter 14|19 pages
Relearning with Permaculture
part VII|15 pages
Conclusion