Thriving Beyond Sustainability
Pathways to a Resilient Society
By: Andrés R. Edwards
Published: May 1, 2010
Format: Paperback, 224 pages
ISBN-10: 0865716412
ISBN-13: 978-0865716414
Publisher: New Society Publishers
"We face an unprecedented crisis - and a unique opportunity for a brighter future", writes educator, LEED® Accredited Professional, and founder and president of EduTracks, Andrés R. Edwards in his inspirational and world changing book Thriving Beyond Sustainability: Pathways to a Resilient Society. The author describes the environmental challenges facing everyone on the planet and offers alternatives to simply relying on sustainability, but moving ahead to a thriving global green culture.
Andrés R. Edwards recognizes the danger that continuing humanity's current path poses if there are not changes in the way that people, business, communities, and nations care for the environment. The author shares lessons learned from a myriad of sources, ranging from indigenous people, to local initiatives, to the greening of commerce in businesses of all types and sizes. The alternatives presented by the author are based on hope, optimism for the future, and the actions of real people from all walks of life. Andrés R. Edwards exhorts people to change their perception of a world not based on scarcity, or even of sustainability, but one of abundant opportunity for all people to live well and in tune with the natural world. The author asks people to expand their thinking, and to free their minds, to examine and consider fresh and unique opportunities for what he calls thriveability.
Andrés R. Edwards (photo left) offers ideas for living from traditional people to examples of conservation projects on a world wide scale. Through initiatives that purchase and protect sensitive and delicate areas of unique and rich biodiversity, individuals, community groups and corporations are demonstrating leadership in environmental stewardship. The challenges to the environment are being met with projects both small and large. Instead of accepting the lesser of evils, or the less bad option, the author shows that there is another path to follow. That route is one of thriveability, where actions are encouraged that both rebuild and restore natural ecosystems, but also enrich the quality of life for everyone. Through collaboration, creativity, and compassion, Andrés R. Edwards believes that despite seeming insurmountable adversity, people can overcome the obstacles and achieve a lasting and thriving legacy for future generations.
For me, the power of the book is how Andrés R. Edwards provides a positive message of hope and optimism for the future of our planet. The author combines theory with examples of real people, groups, and companies providing imaginative solutions to what were seen as impossible environmental problems. The author combines these features with practical advice and methods that anyone can utilize on their own, within their community, or as part of business of any size or industry.
The message of respect for the environment, its limitations, and its possibilities moves the idea of ecological thinking beyond that of sustainability. That concept, at best perceives the world as having scarcity and loss. In its place Andrés R. Edwards presents a vision of abundance, prosperity for all, and a renewed relationship with the natural world. Through cooperation, sharing of ideas, and empathy with people and the world, the author points the way to a brighter future, and not one of environmental disaster and destruction. This positive assessment, of the future of the world and its people, achieves the author's goal of changing the way people see and perceive the world around them.
I highly recommend the visionary and yet very practical book Thriving Beyond Sustainability: Pathways to a Resilient Society by Andrés R. Edwards, to anyone seeking an alternative future for our world, its environment, and for all of its inhabitants. In place of doom and gloom, and the feeling of helplessness so often associated with environmental challenges, this book empowers people to take positive action to make the world a better place for the present and the future.
Read the important and perception changing book Thriving Beyond Sustainability: Pathways to a Resilient Society by Andrés R. Edwards, and discover the road map that leads to thriveability instead of the loss of our natural world. This book takes people beyond the false trails of scarcity, and even of sustainability, to the brighter tomorrow through thriveability.
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