Imagine a world with abundant wildlife and natural resources, clean air, clean water and a stable climate. Such a world would contain attractive, walkable communities with pleasant parks and public meeting places, shops and businesses that people can walk to, supplies of clean, renewable energy, and locally produced food. This type of community would have many profound benefits for human health and well-being. Such a vision is possible, but will require new thinking, new methods and much effort to achieve. Many authors and analysts have described a future that is motivated by the challenges of climate change and dwindling energy supplies. Such a future is: • Locally-based • Decentralized • Downscaled • Low energy • Resource conserving • Reorganized for local and regional food production and distribution • Based on international cooperation The Program on Global Sustainability and Health is addressing these issues. |