It is important to discuss here the dangers of inaction as we are truly at a critical juncture in the relationship between Homo sapiens and planet earth. Our relationship with nature has forever changed over the last three centuries due to our technological might as a species. Rerouting entire river systems, levelling huge areas of forest, changing the composition of the global climate, pollution of land and waterways will leave a terrible legacy to future generations if present trajectories and trends are not altered. This publication provides the supporting argument to show that we can actually achieve a transition to a society based on sustainable development principles and completely bypass the nightmarish scenarios of ‘barbarism’ and ‘fortress world’ as described in the Global Scenario Group Report ‘Great Transition’.1 Figure 2.1 summarizes some of the potential visions of the future and the likely effects on six areas (Population, Economy, Environment, Equity, Technology, Conflict) of such scenarios.