Title: Beyond the limits: confronting global collapse, envisioning a sustainable future.

POPLINE Document Number: 074855

Author(s):

Meadows DH
Meadows DL
Randers J

Source citation:

Post Mills, Vermont, Chelsea Green Publishing Company, 1992. xix, 300 p.

Abstract:

The authors of the 1972 book entitled The Limits of Growth published this 1992 sequel which shows that many resources and pollution flows of the computer simulation have surpassed their sustainable limits. The current way of carrying out life and business activities is indeed unsustainable. Humanity must draw back, ease down, and heal if it wants to continue to live. The computer model, World3, indicates that over the past 20 years the options for sustainability have decreased, yet other options have emerged. Some of these new options have come about through new technologies and institutions. If humanity applies these new options there is a real possibility of reducing pollutants and consumption of resources and still improve the quality of life. If population growth slows down soon and humanity produces quick improvements in the efficiency of material and energy use and in the equitable distribution of material and energy, poverty can even be eliminated. The 1st of 3 conclusions of the book is uncontrolled decline in per capita food output, energy use, and industrial production will occur if humanity continues to use essential resources and to pollute the environment at the present rate. The 2nd is that the decline does not need to happen if governments, international organizations, and industry make exhaustive changes in policies and practices that sustain growth in material consumption and population. They must also quickly and radically increase the efficiency with which materials and energy are used. The 3rd conclusion is that society cannot continue to solve its problems by expansion. A sustainable society must depend on a prudent balance between longterm and shortterm goals. It must also emphasize sufficiency, equality, and quality of life. This society must also use maturity, wisdom, and compassion.

Keywords:

Global
Critique
Population Growth
Environment
Industrialization
Poverty
Natural Resources
Environmental Pollution
Obstacles
Technology
Economic Development
Models, Theoretical
Development Policy
Population Policy
Social Policy
Population Dynamics
Demographic Factors
Population
Economic Factors
Socioeconomic Factors
Environmental Degradation
Organization and Administration
Research Methodology
Policy