Corson, Walter H. 1994. "Changing Course: An Outline of Strategies for a Sustainable Future." Futures 26 (2): 206-223.

Summary: as provided by the author (p. 206)

"Current trends in population growth, resource use and environmental degradation may not be sustainable for more than a few decades. This article summarizes these trends, proposes a broad definition of sustainability that includes ecological, environmental, economic, social, cultural and political dimensions, and lists changes needed to make human activity more sustainable. Also considered are barriers to change, general strategies for change, specific agents and instruments of change, and inherent conflicts between social goals and ecological sustainability. More than a hundred indicators are identified for assessing progress towards ecological and societal sustainability at the global, national and local level. Examples are given of promising initiatives representing progress towards a sustainable future."

The environmental impact of human activity is determined by population, resource consumption per capita, and the environmental degradation resulting from human resource consumption. Unsustainable trends result from increased population coupled with increased resource consumption and increased environmental degradation.

The dimensions of sustainability are outlined in Table 1 (p. 213-14). The twelve core indicators include: natural resources and environment, transportation, economy, socioeconomic equity, social environment, population, health, education, culture, recreation, political participation and involvement, and governmental stability and effectiveness.

Many changes are needed to reverse current unsustainable trends. The authors contend that "a sustainable future will require shifts in personal values, beliefs, attitudes and goals, and substantial alterations of economic, social and political practices (see list on p. 208). Further they identify several barriers to making these changes including economic, social and psychological factors (see list p. 209). General strategies for change and specific agents of change are discussed (see pp. 209-210). Specific agents of change include changes in values, beliefs and lifestyles; economic and technological measures; population policies; improvements in governance; information management; education; and public participation. A discussion of measuring the effectiveness of social change and monitoring progress towards sustainability follows. A final section addresses "Signs of Progress" including international, national, subnational and local initiatives. Business initiatives are also discussed.

The authors close with a call for urgent change toward sustainability. The transition must be timely in its response to the accelerated pace of environmental degradation as depicted by Worldwatch Institute and others.

Keywords: sustainability, unsustainable trends, sustainability indexes