Surviving the Century
Facing Climate Chaos and Other Global Challenges
Herbert Girardet
Sample Chapter
'The crucial message from this book is our need to change course for survival. The combined analysis presented here of why current arrangements are failing the future and clear insights of the way to go, offer us hope. Let us mix this hope with canny tactics to re-shape our world to deliver better prospects for the many, not the few.'
Mary Robinson, President of Realising Rights, Ethical Globalisation Initiative, and former President of Ireland and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
'We have the expertise, the labour and the tools required to build a global order worthy of our highest aspirations and visions... Where others have described the huge costs of climate chaos from environmental, global justice, security and economic perspectives, this book indicates solutions that are within our grasp.'
From the Foreword by Jakob von Uexküll, Founder of the World Future Council
Environmental and human catastrophe looms ever larger for planet Earth. From the necessity to prevent run-away climate change, to the need to create sustainable habitats for a population expected to reach 9 billion by the middle of this century, and to transform the world’s industrial production systems - powerful action is required now to turn a deepening global crisis into an unprecedented opportunity for positive change. This book shows how a dramatic transformation of how humans relate to the Earth, and to one another can be achieved. It is the first major publication by the World Future Council (WFC), a new international voice for future generations.
Surviving the Century reflects the positive mission of the WFC. Each chapter addresses a different critical issue in a systematic and constructive way, describing and analysing the topic before indicating real solutions. The authors of each chapter deal with four crucial questions: Where are we? Where are we going? Where do we want to be? How can we get there? The eight main themes covered are: countering climate chaos, renewable energy policy, local farming systems, rainforests and climate change, creating sustainable cities, cradle to cradle production systems, a radical vision for trade and creating a living democracy.
Surviving the Century is a must-have primer and action plan for all leaders in government, business and NGOs, and for all who want to be part of the historic opportunity to provide solutions to one of the greatest challenges humanity has ever faced.
Published with the World Future Council.
Reviews
'Herbert Girardet’s new book Surviving the Century: Facing Climate Chaos and Other Global Challenges brings together an eclectic mix of the initial optimists, from campaigning US journalist Ross Gelbspan to the German renewable energy pioneer Hermann Scheer. Containing a restrained but deeply felt passion, this book combines wisdom with an intense idealism about how mankind can make the radical changes necessary to deal with the issues that threaten our very existence.'
Nature Reports Climate Change
Herbert Girardet is Director of Programs of the WFC (www.worldfuturecouncil.org). He is an author and co-author of 11 books and 50 TV documentaries on many aspects of sustainable development. At the Rio Earth Summit he received a UN Global 500 Award for outstanding environmental achievements. His most recent books are Cities, People, Planet - Liveable Cities for a Sustainable World (2004) and Shaping our Future (2005).
Foreword by Jakob von Üxkuell * Introduction: Future - What Future? * Addressing Climate Chaos * Renewable Energy is the Future * Feeding People in an Age of Climate Change * Climate and the Amazon * Creating Sustainable and Liveable Cities * Cradle to Cradle Production * A Radical New Vision for World Trade * The Promise of Living Democracy * Index