Social Sustainability

Every 15 seconds, a child dies from waterborne disease. Three times an hour, another species becomes extinct. Each day, we consume 85 million barrels of oil and pump 23 million tons of carbon dioxide into an already warming atmosphere. But against this bleak backdrop, beacons of hope shine from thousands of large and small initiatives. Thriving Beyond Sustainability draws a collective map of individuals, organizations, and communities that are committed to building an alternative future.

While politicians, entrepreneurs, and even school children could tell you that sustainability is an important and nearly universal value, many of them, and many of us, may struggle to define the term, let alone trace its history. What is sustainability? Is it always about the environment? What science do we need to fully grasp what it requires? What does sustainability mean for business? How can governments plan for a sustainable future?

In this remarkable challenge to conventional thinking about the environment, David Owen argues that the greenest community in the United States is not Portland, Oregon, or Snowmass, Colorado, but New York City.

Caradonna's unique and concise history broadens our understanding of what "sustainability" means, revealing how it progressed from a relatively marginal concept to an ideal that shapes everything from individual lifestyles, government and corporate strategies, and even national and international policy. For anyone seeking understand the history of those striving to make the world a better place to live, here's a place to start.

In a world increasingly valuing more than profit-focused endeavors, “Sustainability Leadership” is a compelling invitation to transformative action. This pivotal work encourages businesses and visionaries to adopt a holistic approach, melding profit with societal and environmental welfare. It highlights the crucial roles of Global Social Responsibility, Eco-environmental Circularity, and Prosperity-Wellbeing Purposes, heralding a shift from conventional practices towards evolved models of responsible capitalism and holistic success metrics. Structurally, the book presents a balanced ...

Visionary physicist Geoffrey West is a pioneer in the field of complexity science, the science of emergent systems and networks. The term complexity can be misleading, however, because what makes West's discoveries so beautiful is that he has found an underlying simplicity that unites the seemingly complex and diverse phenomena of living systems, including our bodies, our cities, and our businesses.

Free market capitalism is one of humanity's greatest inventions and the greatest source of prosperity the world has ever seen. But this success has been costly. Capitalism is on the verge of destroying the planet and destabilizing society as wealth rushes to the top. The time for action is running short. Rebecca Henderson's rigorous research in economics, psychology, and organizational behavior, as well as her many years of work with companies around the world, give us a path forward.

In this accessible guide to the meanings of sustainability, Kent Portney describes the evolution of the idea and examines its application in a variety of contemporary contexts - from economic growth and consumption to government policy and urban planning.

This book is an excellent reference for beginners or those seeking general knowledge about the subject matter. It is divided into six parts including (1) understanding soft skills, (2) leadership and soft skills, (3) emotional intelligence, (4) understanding social responsibility, (5) leadership and social responsibility, and (6) the future leader. Each section is written for easy reader comprehension and examples are provided throughout for explanation and clarification purposes.

Embark on a culinary journey that transcends mere recipes and dives into the heart of strategic eating with "The Strategic Kitchen"! This enlightening eBook is your trusty guide through the world of meal prep, unlocking the secrets to a more organized, nutritious, and delicious life. Whether you're a bustling professional, a busy parent, or an enthusiast seeking to refine your eating habits, this comprehensive collection caters to all with insights that promise to transform your approach to food. Step into the first chapter where the essentials of meal prepping lay the foundation for a ...

Dive into the world of ethical investing with 'Sustainability Beyond Profit: A Roadmap for Ethical Investing.' This insightful guide navigates readers through the complexities of sustainable investment practices, offering a comprehensive roadmap for integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into investment decisions. From screening and selection to portfolio construction and performance measurement, this book equips investors with the knowledge and tools needed to build investment portfolios that align with their values and objectives. Whether you're a seasoned ...

The definitive account of India’s energy journey and a blueprint for an energy-efficient future. The historic oil crisis of 1973, which permanently altered significant economic policies worldwide, marked a turning point in India’s energy odyssey, putting the country on the path towards energy efficiency. A young energy researcher at the National Productivity Council at the time, Padu Padmanabhan soon found himself at a juncture that would lead him to the many watershed moments of this journey.

During the first two decades of the twenty-first century, the whole messy truth about the legacy of last century’s big dam building binge has come to light. What started out as an arguably good government project has drifted oceans away from that original virtuous intent. Governments plugged the nation’s rivers in a misguided attempt to turn them into revenue streams. Water control projects’ main legacy will be one of needless ecological destruction, fostering a host of unnecessary injustices.

In We Are the Weather, Jonathan Safran Foer explores the central global dilemma of our time in a surprising, deeply personal, and urgent new way. Some people reject the fact, overwhelmingly supported by scientists, that our planet is warming because of human activity. But do those of us who accept the reality of human-caused climate change truly believe it? If we did, surely we would be roused to act on what we know.

Embark on a transformative journey through the rolling fields and vibrant communities of Iowa with "Green Gold," a compendium that delves deep into the heart of America's rich agricultural tapestry. This remarkable eBook is not just a treatise on Iowa's cornfields; it's an exploration of resilience, innovation, and the unwavering spirit of the land and its cultivators. Begin your odyssey by unraveling the geographic and climatic intricacies that make Iowa the perfect cradle for this cherished crop. Through a rich historical sweep, witness the bond between corn and the state's economy and ...

This book brings unique perspectives to this key debate by exploring the history of green entrepreneurship since the nineteenth century, and its spread globally in industries including renewable energy, organic food, natural beauty, ecotourism, recycling, architecture, and finance. The book uses the lens of the extraordinary and often eccentric men and women who defied convention and imagined that business could help save the planet, rather than consume it. The social and religious beliefs that drove many of these individuals are explored.

Beginning in the vast North American Boreal Forest that stretches through Canada, and roving across the continent, from the Northern Sierra to Alabama's Paint Rock Forest, from the Appalachian Trail to a ranch in Mexico, Tony Hiss sets out on a journey to take stock of the "superorganism" that is the earth: its land, its elements, its plants and animals, its greatest threats - and what we can do to keep it, and ourselves, alive.

A circular economy is an economic system designed to save money, eliminate waste, and achieve deep sustainability. No-brainer, right? Circular Economy for Dummies explains why the old way of doing things (the take-make-waste model of a linear economy) is fast going the way of the dinosaurs, and it gets you ready to think circular. From business processes and material lifecycles to circular design in just about every industry, this book is a fascinating glimpse into the sustainable future we urgently need.

Dive into the future of investing with 'Sustainable Wealth: Crafting a Future-Forward Investment Portfolio.' This groundbreaking guide takes you on a journey beyond traditional investment paradigms, where financial success converges with environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and corporate governance. Discover how to build a portfolio that not only delivers competitive financial returns but also promotes positive societal impact and long-term sustainability. From strategic asset allocation to ESG integration, shareholder engagement, and performance monitoring, this book offers ...

A groundbreaking investigation of how inequality infects our minds and gets under our skin.