Limits to Growth: The 30-Year Update

I think this book very clearly and understandably describes the bigger problems humanity is facing. I think it is honestly the best book I have read related to Sustainable Development. It is able to cut through the noice around all the discussions of climate change, no climate change, peak oil or no peak oil, overpopulation e.t.c. The book gives a model and a deeper understanding on how every thing is linked together, and a clear picture of how when one variable of the system changes, it will effect all the other variables. I truly cherish this introduction to system dynamics as well. The authors do not claim to have have all the answers, or the perfect model of the world, but he book stills gives a very good picture of linkage, cause and effect in a complex system. Nothing can be said with certainty about future developments, it all rests on the choices we make. This is true for each individual, but also true for the choices we collectively make as a society. What is also true is that whatever we choose, it we will have an effect, and outcome, and we all make these decisions within a systems with certain rules, equations and feedback loops. The rules, equations and feedback-loops for how we operate as a society can be changed by choice, but the responses of the natural world, for what we depend for all we have, can not so easily be changed. I hope to see this book as obligatory reading for any higher education or management training in the future; it really would help the public discourse stay on topic of the really critically discussions, and not so easily get sidetracked and polarized by claims from different special interest groups within the realm of Sustainable Development.

The 30-year update to "Limits to Growth" is possibly the most thought-provoking environmental book I've ever read. I had not read the original, but knew it was heavily criticized as "hysterical" by free-market enthusiasts, especially economist Julian Simon. So, I wasn't expecting the thoughtful, cautious, and considered analysis of the likely scenarios of an ever-expanding human population facing finite resources. The authors make an excellent point that infinite growth (people, food, water, economy, etc.) is simply not possible. Yet, every politician in the world advocates a policy of never-ending growth. The point of the book is not that we will all die from starvation. The point of the book is that if we do not want to run out of resources and live a miserable existence, we have to start planning now. Excellent book to read for your own education, and in some ways, it serves as an antidote to the popular culture's love affair with growth and consumption at any cost.

It makes so much sense---we are in overshoot on our way to collapse. In such simple and convincing ways, these process engineers lay it out with their updated model and give you a semi-academic vocabulary and analysis that provides a strong critique versus stupid unplanned growth ecomonics. And they show how making substantial yet not impossible changes could change the fortunes and bring us back to a sustainable balance. Do they overly-discount the potential benefits of new technology yet to be discovered to prevent collapse? I hope to hell they do because if there is anything that is clear, it is that human nature has 1) blind faith in new technology to save us (e.g. how else could nuclear power/waste be justified?) and 2) there is no way that humans will make substantial changes prior to collapse--balance will only be achieved afterwards and of course that means it will be less-rational, more-drastic, less-controllable, more-expensive, more-devastating, etc.

In the early seventies The Limits to Growth was published, arising strong controversy. A 20-year update was released (Beyond the Limits) and now this third book on the series. In perspective, the Limits to Growth was quite accurate; the computer models used at that time were state-of-the-art. But it is not the models but the concepts beyond them that make the series interesting. In this 30-year update authors make a good discussion of the consequences of exceeding Earth's biocapacity (which has happened already). Our planet is sustainable only because some countries thrive at the expense of others - many authors agree on that. It is not the end of the world, though, but I hope the end of an era of selfishness. This book points that out quite well. It deserves a careful reading.

The book tells the truth. Humanity will suffer the collapse of civilization and the horrible deaths of billions because of their collective inability to understand that the earth and the resources the earth can provide to humanity are finite and limited It is absolutely essential for every intelligent person on the planet to not only read the book but to fully understand. It is easy to read and understand and all of the facts set forth in the book are supported.

Amazing book. It arrived on time.

ローマン会議以来の新しいもの。基本路線はあまり変わりませんが、成長に限界がある事実は学問的にも、現実的にも重大で、地球上の生命に課せられた大きな課題なのです。

Eye-opening report, conclusion supported by consistent data and a linear flow of thought, at a divulgative level. I believe this is a must read, given our current situation.

This is the type of book I wish I had heard of 15 years ago. If you are vaguely interested in planet Earth and the survival of our species in a world of limited resources, do not hesitate... buy the book. It will not cover absolutely everything you need to know, but it is a great start to understand systems science and its applications. I think it will inspire you. And it's an easy read too!

I read “Limit to Growth” in 1972 and was impressed. A lot of people denied it. I think it was the first honest attempt to sensibilize Human Beings about risks in a blind race to destroy natural reserves. There is a lot to do and perhaps we are just in time to do it. This 30YRS upgrade book is more detailed and more up to date and, of course, more impressive. Definitely to read.