ABSTRACT
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.
