Social Sustainability

In this accessible guide to the meanings of sustainability, Kent Portney describes the evolution of the idea and examines its application in a variety of contemporary contexts - from economic growth and consumption to government policy and urban planning.

While politicians, entrepreneurs, and even school children could tell you that sustainability is an important and nearly universal value, many of them, and many of us, may struggle to define the term, let alone trace its history. What is sustainability? Is it always about the environment? What science do we need to fully grasp what it requires? What does sustainability mean for business? How can governments plan for a sustainable future?

China's Economy: What Everyone Needs to Know® is a concise introduction to the most astonishing economic growth story of the last three decades. In the 1980s, China was an impoverished backwater, struggling to escape the political turmoil and economic mismanagement of the Mao era. Today it is the world's second biggest economy, the largest manufacturing and trading nation, the consumer of half the world's steel and coal, the biggest source of international tourists, and one of the most influential investors in developing countries from southeast Asia to Africa to Latin America.

Caradonna's unique and concise history broadens our understanding of what "sustainability" means, revealing how it progressed from a relatively marginal concept to an ideal that shapes everything from individual lifestyles, government and corporate strategies, and even national and international policy. For anyone seeking understand the history of those striving to make the world a better place to live, here's a place to start.

In this remarkable challenge to conventional thinking about the environment, David Owen argues that the greenest community in the United States is not Portland, Oregon, or Snowmass, Colorado, but New York City.

Visionary physicist Geoffrey West is a pioneer in the field of complexity science, the science of emergent systems and networks. The term complexity can be misleading, however, because what makes West's discoveries so beautiful is that he has found an underlying simplicity that unites the seemingly complex and diverse phenomena of living systems, including our bodies, our cities, and our businesses.

Are you ready to make sustainability a "No Brainer"? In "Sustainability Made Simple," we'll take you on a practical and inspiring journey to a greener, more sustainable world. This isn't a book for eco-gurus or scientists; it's for everyday people like you who want to make a real difference without the complexity or sacrifice. Discover the three essential pillars of sustainability—environmental, social, and economic—and how they shape our future. Bust common myths that might be holding you back, and explore the exciting world of sustainable innovation, from renewable energy to circular ...

In We Are the Weather, Jonathan Safran Foer explores the central global dilemma of our time in a surprising, deeply personal, and urgent new way. Some people reject the fact, overwhelmingly supported by scientists, that our planet is warming because of human activity. But do those of us who accept the reality of human-caused climate change truly believe it? If we did, surely we would be roused to act on what we know.

Free market capitalism is one of humanity's greatest inventions and the greatest source of prosperity the world has ever seen. But this success has been costly. Capitalism is on the verge of destroying the planet and destabilizing society as wealth rushes to the top. The time for action is running short. Rebecca Henderson's rigorous research in economics, psychology, and organizational behavior, as well as her many years of work with companies around the world, give us a path forward.

Are you looking to make a real difference in your community or in the world? Look no further than Designing for Impact – the must-read eBook for anyone interested in creating positive social change through design. With chapters that cover everything from understanding social issues to creating user-centered solutions, Designing for Impact is a comprehensive guide to the power and potential of design thinking. You'll learn how to identify the right problems to solve, how to generate and prototype creative solutions, and how to measure success in terms of social impact. But Designing for ...

In AI for Good: Applications in Sustainability, Humanitarian Action, and Health, a team of veteran Microsoft AI researchers delivers an insightful and fascinating discussion of how one of the world's most recognizable software companies is tackling intractable social problems with the power of artificial intelligence (AI). In the book, you'll see real in-the-field examples of researchers using AI with replicable methods and reusable AI code to inspire your own uses.

The definitive account of India’s energy journey and a blueprint for an energy-efficient future. The historic oil crisis of 1973, which permanently altered significant economic policies worldwide, marked a turning point in India’s energy odyssey, putting the country on the path towards energy efficiency. A young energy researcher at the National Productivity Council at the time, Padu Padmanabhan soon found himself at a juncture that would lead him to the many watershed moments of this journey.

Setting out from her classroom, Jessica Lander takes the listener on a powerful and urgent journey to understand what it takes for immigrant students to become Americans. A compelling listen for everyone who cares about America’s future, Making Americans brims with innovative ideas for educators and policy makers across the country.

A circular economy is an economic system designed to save money, eliminate waste, and achieve deep sustainability. No-brainer, right? Circular Economy for Dummies explains why the old way of doing things (the take-make-waste model of a linear economy) is fast going the way of the dinosaurs, and it gets you ready to think circular. From business processes and material lifecycles to circular design in just about every industry, this book is a fascinating glimpse into the sustainable future we urgently need.

A groundbreaking investigation of how inequality infects our minds and gets under our skin.

This book is an excellent reference for beginners or those seeking general knowledge about the subject matter. It is divided into six parts including (1) understanding soft skills, (2) leadership and soft skills, (3) emotional intelligence, (4) understanding social responsibility, (5) leadership and social responsibility, and (6) the future leader. Each section is written for easy reader comprehension and examples are provided throughout for explanation and clarification purposes.

Embark on a culinary journey that transcends mere recipes and dives into the heart of strategic eating with "The Strategic Kitchen"! This enlightening eBook is your trusty guide through the world of meal prep, unlocking the secrets to a more organized, nutritious, and delicious life. Whether you're a bustling professional, a busy parent, or an enthusiast seeking to refine your eating habits, this comprehensive collection caters to all with insights that promise to transform your approach to food. Step into the first chapter where the essentials of meal prepping lay the foundation for a ...

During the first two decades of the twenty-first century, the whole messy truth about the legacy of last century’s big dam building binge has come to light. What started out as an arguably good government project has drifted oceans away from that original virtuous intent. Governments plugged the nation’s rivers in a misguided attempt to turn them into revenue streams. Water control projects’ main legacy will be one of needless ecological destruction, fostering a host of unnecessary injustices.

A healthy Earth requires healthy children. Yet nearly one-fourth of the world’s children are stunted physically and mentally due to a lack of food or nutrients. During the past 30 years, says Sharman Russell, we have seen a revolution in how we treat these sick children and in how - with a new understanding of the human body and approach to nutrition, and new ways to reach out to hungry mothers and babies - we have gone from unwittingly killing severely malnourished children to bringing them back to health through the “miracle” of ready-to-eat therapeutic food.

Embark on a transformative journey through the rolling fields and vibrant communities of Iowa with "Green Gold," a compendium that delves deep into the heart of America's rich agricultural tapestry. This remarkable eBook is not just a treatise on Iowa's cornfields; it's an exploration of resilience, innovation, and the unwavering spirit of the land and its cultivators. Begin your odyssey by unraveling the geographic and climatic intricacies that make Iowa the perfect cradle for this cherished crop. Through a rich historical sweep, witness the bond between corn and the state's economy and ...