ABSTRACT
A third group of barriers to sustainability is related to social reality. To begin with, as a kind of meta-barrier, we discuss system inertness and path dependencies because they resemble the general idea of the book as a whole: how can change be triggered? We will then look at the first demand of the Brundtland definition, “meeting the needs of the present” not only because this is a humanitarian demand but also a precondition for environmental goals. Thirdly, the threat of populism and fundamentalism has long been underestimated for the sustainability discourse but might be much more severe than other themes which have long been discussed. Fourthly, huge inequalities mark our societies – both nationally and internationally – and impede progress. Fifthly, conflicting interests prevent collaboration and international treaties, especially if the conflicts are not openly addressed and fed into a public discourse.
