ABSTRACT
The Earth's natural resources are being depleted, and wastes arc being generated at rates unheard of in human history. As the environmental and social issues make clear, the Earth is indeed a small planet, one that must support a rapidly growing number of human beings seeking the improved lifestyles promised by the Industrial Revolution. In fact, contributing to something larger and more important has long been recognized as a primary pathway to fulfilling the human spirit. The sustainability is generally considered to have three interdependent, coevolutionary dimensions: the economy, the society, and the natural environment. The economy is embedded in the greater society it serves, and society, in turn, is embedded in the natural environment, the biophysical system to which all life on Earth is bound. This chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
