The Challenge of Sustainability
This book shows how modern ecology, or the New Ecology, has developed into a science in support of sustainability in the twenty-first century—an epoch known as the Anthropocene, in which humankind's actions will be the predominant forces shaping the world. It considers the role of biodiversity in ecological functions that humans may draw upon to provide critical services in support of their livelihoods and well being. The New Ecology helps society overcome the human–nature divide by formulating scientific ways to integrate the study of humanity with the study of nature. The book explains how these seemingly divided realms are in fact intertwined as socio-ecological systems and demonstrates how ecological principles can be newly applied to enhance the sustainability of human-built environments, such as cities and industries, in ways that can lessen societal demands and impacts on nature.