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The Century Ahead: Searching for Sustainability

Author

Listed:
  • Paul D. Raskin

    (Tellus Institute, 11 Arlington Street, Boston, MA 02116, USA)

  • Christi Electris

    (Tellus Institute, 11 Arlington Street, Boston, MA 02116, USA)

  • Richard A. Rosen

    (Tellus Institute, 11 Arlington Street, Boston, MA 02116, USA)

Abstract

The global future lies before us as a highly uncertain and contested landscape with numerous perils along the way. This study explores possible pathways to sustainability by considering in quantitative detail four contrasting scenarios for the twenty-first century. The analysis reveals vividly the risks of conventional development approaches and the real danger of socio-ecological descent. Nonetheless, the paper underscores that a Great Transition scenario—turning toward a civilization of enhanced human well-being and environmental resilience—remains an option, and identifies a suite of strategic and value changes for getting there. A fundamental shift in the development paradigm is found to be an urgent necessity for assuring a sustainable future and, as well, a hopeful opportunity for creating a world of enriched lives, human amity, and a healthy ecosphere.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul D. Raskin & Christi Electris & Richard A. Rosen, 2010. "The Century Ahead: Searching for Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 2(8), pages 1-26, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:2:y:2010:i:8:p:2626-2651:d:9336
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    Cited by:

    1. Ulrich Hoffmann, 2011. "Assuring Food Security In Developing Countries Under The Challenges Of Climate Change: Key Trade And Development Issues Of A Fundamental Transformation Of Agriculture," UNCTAD Discussion Papers 201, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
    2. Wa’el A. Hussien & Fayyaz A. Memon & Dragan A. Savic, 2016. "Assessing and Modelling the Influence of Household Characteristics on Per Capita Water Consumption," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 30(9), pages 2931-2955, July.
    3. Clio Kenterelidou & Fani Galatsopoulou, 2021. "Sustainable Biocultural Heritage Management and Communication: The Case of Digital Narrative for UNESCO Marine World Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-32, January.
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    11. Peter S. Heller, 2011. "Rethinking the World of Aid in the Twenty First Century," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2011-067, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
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    13. Dexter V. L. Hunt & D. Rachel Lombardi & Stuart Atkinson & Austin R. G. Barber & Matthew Barnes & Christopher T. Boyko & Julie Brown & John Bryson & David Butler & Silvio Caputo & Maria Caserio & Rich, 2012. "Scenario Archetypes: Converging Rather than Diverging Themes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 4(4), pages 1-33, April.
    14. Stephen Sterling, 2014. "Separate Tracks or Real Synergy? Achieving a Closer Relationship between Education and SD, Post-2015," Journal of Education for Sustainable Development, , vol. 8(2), pages 89-112, September.
    15. Stephen Sterling, 2016. "A Commentary on Education and Sustainable Development Goals," Journal of Education for Sustainable Development, , vol. 10(2), pages 208-213, September.
    16. Bruce Tonn & Paul Frymier & Jared Graves & Jessa Meyers, 2010. "A Sustainable Energy Scenario for the United States: Year 2050," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 2(12), pages 1-31, November.
    17. Sergiy Smetana & Christine Tamásy & Alexander Mathys & Volker Heinz, 2015. "Sustainability and regions: sustainability assessment in regional perspective," Regional Science Policy & Practice, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 7(4), pages 163-186, November.
    18. Aikaterini Papapostolou & Charikleia Karakosta & Kalliopi-Anastasia Kourti & Haris Doukas & John Psarras, 2019. "Supporting Europe’s Energy Policy Towards a Decarbonised Energy System: A Comparative Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(15), pages 1-26, July.
    19. Heller, Peter S., 2011. "Rethinking the World of Aid in the Twenty First Century," WIDER Working Paper Series 067, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
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