Reflections on a sustainable society

Humanity in the mirror

We are on the verge of a true crisis of civilisation. Ecological disruption, chronic

insatisfaction of the basic needs of a large part of humanity and degrading

physical and mental health in industrialised countries are all symptoms of

this crisis. In developed and developing countries alike, we must address the

crisis's main cause : the pursuit of a development approach focused on economic

growth and based on intensive, inefficient use of natural resources. For us as

individuals, this is a chance to become more alive. Simple adjustments to the

way we buy. eat. live and travel can yield improvements in our health and self-

satisfaction while helping build a better world. For humanity as a whole, this is

a chance to evolve towards a more advanced stage of development. This book is

a call for humanity to look itself in the mirror, question its identity as a species

and re-examine its place in this world. It offers the keys to understand and take

action at both individual and collective levels.