Mindful Sceptics Guide to Sustainability
About this Guide
In an era where "sustainability" has become a buzzword stripped of meaning, this guide cuts through the greenwashing to expose the harsh realities of thermodynamics, ecological timescales, and human resource consumption.
Through mindful scepticism, Dr Mark Dangerfield explores why indefinitely maintaining current consumption levels is physically impossible while offering a more nuanced and actionable understanding of true sustainability.
What You'll Learn
Why conventional sustainability rhetoric often misses fundamental physical and ecological realities
How to think in terms of processes and scenarios rather than fixed targets
Understanding sustainability through the lens of ecological timescales and thermodynamics
Practical approaches to navigate an uncertain future beyond simplistic "green" solutions
Why This Matters Now
As humanity faces multiple interconnected crises, from climate change to resource depletion to biodiversity loss, the need for clear thinking about sustainability has never been more urgent. Yet much of our discussion about sustainability remains trapped in outdated paradigms that fail to recognise fundamental physical limits or the complex nature of ecological systems.
This guide matters because it offers a more sophisticated framework for understanding sustainability challenges. It moves beyond feel-good environmentalism to engage with the real constraints and opportunities we face. It provides tools for thinking critically about proposed solutions while maintaining hope for meaningful action.
What's Inside
Section 1: The Sustainability Paradox
Explore why conventional notions of sustainable development contain inherent contradictions and physical impossibilities.
Section 2: Energy, Resources and Limits
Understand the fundamental role of energy in human civilization and why thermodynamic realities constrain our options.
Section 3: Beyond Targets
Learn a more nuanced, process-oriented approach to sustainability that embraces complexity and uncertainty.
Who This Guide Is For
Environmental professionals who want to deepen their understanding of sustainability's fundamental challenges
Business leaders seeking more rigorous frameworks for long-term planning
Concerned citizens interested in moving beyond superficial "green" solutions
Students and educators looking for more nuanced perspectives on sustainability
About the Author
Dr. Mark Dangerfield brings decades of experience as an ecologist, business owner, and academic to bear on sustainability challenges. His unique combination of scientific expertise and practical business experience allows him to bridge the gap between ecological realities and human systems.
