Evidence for Hope: The Emerging Sustainability Revolution

By Rob D. van den Berg

This book explores what is evidence, and notes that too much is accepted as evidence without sufficient attention for observations, explanations and expectations. Evidence is a reasoned judgements of these, and that is more than is promised by the evidence-based movement that focuses on research methodologies. Worldviews play a major role in how we consider evidence, as demonstrated in history and in the current global situation. Lack of sustainability is the major problem of our time. The origins of our problems with sustainability are traced back to the 16th century when a global trading system emerged out of colonisation. This mainly led to social injustice. The second wave of unsustainability started with the Industrial Revolution which took off around 1760 in the UK. The increasing consumption of natural resources (most prominently fossil fuels) have led to overuse, causing sustainability challenges linked to breaking through planetary boundaries. In order for humanity to survive, we will need to work towards an adaptive, resilient balance between the social, economic and environmental domains. We need to broaden our perspective on causality, which - perhaps to the readers' surprise - is hardly defined at the moment. Systems play a key role in how we need to achieve sustainability. Their causality and dynamics, as shown in many pilot projects in the last twenty-five years, provide evidence for hope that transformation is possible. Several systems, mainly related to energy, are reaching tipping points towards sustainability. In other areas of concern pilot programmes and projects for a sustainable world have proven to be effective, relevant and bring an assured impact if upscaled. It is time for action! One of the initiatives that could take shape is to ensure that the world knows about the evidence for hope, through a clearing house of evidence. There is also evidence that a sustainable future would enrich humanity, rather than to make it poorer. It will especially lead to higher levels of energy availability, leading to the Sustainability Revolution that the title refers to! Reviews of the book: "This is a thought-provoking book on the connection between reasoned evidence and the challenge of the sustainability crises that humanity is facing." (Shekhar Singh, India) "A compelling book with cutting edge perspectives on worldviews that influence evidence, the tensions between the West and the South and the recognition and hope that Indigenous worldviews can be a partner in tackling sustainability challenges." ( Bagele Chilisa, Botswana) "This book offers a systemic approach to sustainability, with insightful considerations of historical and dynamic trends that brought us to the present." (Cristina Magro, Brazil ) "The book provides valuable evidence and insights, all with a vibrant and clear prose." (Osvaldo Feinstein, Argentina) "The chapters on causality and systems have enriched my understanding of these issues." (Jacques Börger, The Netherlands) "The author offers a systematic pathway for HOPE that we can achieve sustainability if we keep seeking well-reasoned judgements about evidence." (Deborah Rugg, USA) "I have perused this impressive and scholarly book. It is fluently written and interesting." (Robert Picciotto, New Zealand) ""The author helps us understand what sustainability is about, and shows that it can be achieved through revised criteria of success and failure." (Nicoletta Stame, Italy) "The depth and scope of this book makes it a seminal contribution. It should inform future practice." (Indran A. Naidoo, South Africa)

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0D9XPGFS1
• ISBN13: 9798328117241
• Release Date: July 2024
• Publisher: Independently published
• Length: 324 Pages
• Weight: 1.23 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.7" x 6.0"