Acknowledgements
Preface
Abbreviations
Illustrations
1 Introduction: Sustainability – A Utopian Ideal?
1.1 Sustainability – an 'exhausted' concept?
1.2 Phase transition towards sustainability
1.3 Understanding the barriers towards sustainability
1.4 Developing Action principles for Sustainability
1.5 Concept of sustainability
1.6 Structure of the book
1.7 Methodological approach
1.8 Summary
Part 1: Barriers
Intrinsic Barriers
2 Barriers related to physical reality
2.1 The Problem of ERoEI, Resources, and Pollution
2.2 Complexity
3 Barriers related to human condition
3.1 Cognitive Limitations: Linear and unconnected thinking
3.2 Moral Limitations – Greed, Selfishness and Ignorance
3.3 Value-action gap
3.4 Trade-offs
4 Barriers related to social reality
4.1 System inertness and path dependencies
4.2 "Meeting the needs of the present…"
4.2.1 Demand for sustainability starts with the present needs
4.2.2 Poverty as multidimensional phenomenon
4.2.3 The poor suffer most – environmental injustice
4.2.4 High Ecological Footprint or High Development – is there no alternative?
4.3 Populism and Fundamentalism
4.4 Inequalities
4.5 Conflicting Interests
4.5.1 No framework for resolving conflicting interests on international level
4.5.2 Conflicting interests are not always visible
4.5.3 Inequalities imply uneven negotiation powers and impede settlements
4.5.4 Leadership and Power Structures
Extrinsic Barriers 1 – Institutional Deficiencies
5 Economy: Faulty Market System
5.1 Market Failure
5.1.1 Public goods and the tragedy of the commons
5.1.2 Free-Riding
5.1.3 Externalization societies: Shift costs to the weak, to nature, and to the future
5.2 Pervasiveness of economic thinking
6 Politics: Lack of effective governance for global issues
6.1 Challenges of IGOs and multilateral international treaties
6.2 Geopolitics and the struggle of establishing a world order
7 Law: Legal difficulties related to sustainability
7.1 Sustainability concerns not institutionalized
7.2 Limiting of individual liberties for the sake of the common good?
7.2.1 Betterment of individual rights compared to public goods
7.2.2 Challenges to the concept of the common good
8 Technology: Mismatch Between Impact and Governance
9 Structural silos: Fragmentation of knowledge, Administration, and Responsibility
9.1 Fragmentation of Knowledge
9.2 Fragmentation of Administration
9.3 Fragmentation of Responsibility
Extrinsic Barriers 2 – Zeitgeist-dependent Barriers
10 Short-Term orientation and acceleration
11 Consumerism
Part 2 – Action Principles
12 Why Action Principles?
12.1 A change in perspective – Take the actor’s view
12.2 Why principles for sustainable action?
12.3 Types of principles
13 Nature-related principles
13.1 Decarbonize
13.2 Reduce Environmental Impact by Efficiency, Sufficiency, and Compatibility
13.3 Be "net-positive" – build up environmental and societal capital!
13.4 Prefer Local, Seasonal, Plant-based, and Labour-intensive
13.5 Polluter pays principle
13.6 Precautionary principle
13.7 Appreciate and Celebrate the Beauty of Nature
14 Personal principles
14.1 Why personal principles matter
14.2 Practice Praxis and Contemplation
14.3 Be not too certain – and apply policies cautiously
14.4 Celebrate Frugality
15 Society-related principles
15.1 Grant the least privileged the greatest support
15.2 Seek mutual understanding, trust and multiple-wins
15.3 Be Tolerant
15.4 Strengthen social cohesion and collaboration
15.5 Engage the Stakeholders
15.6 Foster education – share knowledge and collaborate
16 System-related principles
16.1 Apply systems thinking
16.1.1 Think holistically
16.1.2 Think long-term and decelerate
16.1.3 Think global – promote local
16.2 Foster Diversity
16.3 Increase Transparency of the Publicly Relevant
16.4 Maintain or Increase Option Diversity
17 Conclusion: Sustainable action principles trigger phase transition
17.1 Summary: Overcoming the Barriers
17.2 The Goal: Future of terra and humanity – Futeranity
17.2.1 Three challenges to the SDG process
17.2.2 The Utopian Ideal of Sustainability is Futeranity
17.2.3 Sustainable action principles facilitate Futeranity
17.2.4 The critical role of the actors for a transition towards sustainability
17.3 Outlook: Change is coming
