As the Is Sustainability Still Possible? project site is no longer active, I’ve captured key elements of sustainabilitypossible.org in these pages.
Every day, we are presented with a range of “sustainable” products and activities—from “green” cleaning supplies to carbon offsets. But with so much labeled as sustainable, the term has become essentially sustainababble, at best indicating a practice or product slightly less damaging than the conventional alternative. Is it time to abandon the concept altogether, or can we find an accurate way to measure sustainability? If so, how can we achieve it? And if not, how can we best prepare for the coming ecological decline?
In State of the World 2013: Is Sustainability Still Possible?,, scientists, policy experts, and thought leaders tackle these questions, attempting to restore meaning to sustainability as more than just a marketing tool. The report explores these questions in depth in over 30 articles. You’ll also find videos, presentation materials, news updates, and additional translations of the report.
Praise for the Report
“State of the World 2013 assembles the wisdom and clarity of some of the Earth’s finest thinkers, visionaries, and activists into a dazzling array of topics that merge to offer a compellingly lucid and accessible vision of where we are—and what is the wisest and healthiest course for the future.”
–Nina Simons, Cofounder, Bioneers
“State of the World 2013 is a powerful collection of articles, and the vision behind it is impressive. Here is a book that gets beyond ‘sustainababble’ and asks the tough, essential questions. It should make readers more determined than ever to do their part in avoiding planet-wide disaster—and better informed about how to do that.”
–Peter Singer, Professor of Bioethics, Princeton University, and author of Animal Liberation, One World, and The Life You Can Save.
“This edition forges a new path for the [State of the World] series, and for environmental thinking in general…. A pivotal book that marks a defining moment for our species.”
–Richard Heinberg, Senior Fellow Post Carbon Institute and author of The End of Growth and The Party’s Over
“State of the World 2013 cuts through the rhetoric surrounding sustainability, providing a broad and realistic look at how close we are to achieving it and outlining practices and policies that can steer us in the right direction…. A must read for those seeking authentic sustainability.”
–Hunter Lovins, President of Natural Capital Solutions and author of Climate Capitalism and The Way Out
“This is a book of hope for a world in profound crisis. It gives honest assessments of the enormous challenges we face, and points us toward institutional and cultural changes that are proportional to our dire situation. State of the World 2013 reaffirms that we are not helpless, but that we have real choices, and that transformation is both possible and desirable.”
–Reverend Peter S. Sawtell, Executive Director, Eco-Justice Ministries
“State of the World 2013 cuts through ‘sustainababble’ with crisp coverage that puts the news of the year in context and provides an expert survey of today’s and tomorrow’s big issues. It’s a perennial resource for everyone concerned about our common future.”
–Karen Christensen, publisher of the 10-volume Berkshire Encyclopedia of Sustainability and author of The Armchair Environmentalist
“Every elected official in the world needs to read this book. Mass denial is no longer an option. An ‘all hands on deck’ approach to transforming our culture and economy is the only path to a safe, resilient future. This book is the blueprint for that safe path forward.”
–Betsy Taylor, President, Breakthrough Strategies & Solutions and Founder, Center for a New American Dream