Sustainable Development in Practice: Sustainomics Methodology and Applications (Munasinghe Institute for Development (Mind) Series on Growth)
Cambridge University Press, 2009-04-30
EAN 9780521719728, ISBN10: 0521719720
Paperback, 652 pages, 24.4 x 17 x 3.7 cm
Language: English
This book provides a rigorous and practical analysis of sustainable development prospects today by applying the innovative sustainomics framework. Developed by the eminent environmental scientist Mohan Munasinghe, sustainomics explores the practical steps in making the transition from the risky business-as-usual scenario to a safe and sustainable future. Its main message is optimistic – although the problems are serious, an effective response can be mounted to make development more sustainable if initiated immediately. The book explains the key principles underlying sustainomics cogently, concisely and with minimum technical jargon. It illustrates the methodology with empirical case studies that are practical and policy-relevant over a wide range of time and geographic scales, countries, sectors, ecosystems and circumstances. The extensive bibliography is useful to researchers of specific issues within sustainable development. This book appeals to a wide audience, including students, researchers from many disciplines, policy analysts, public and private-sector decision makers, and development practitioners.
'This book is unique … Munasinghe brings together a wide range of skills. As a respected and award winning researcher, his analysis is rigorous and well-documented. As a senior decision maker and manager with over 35 years of experience in the development arena, his advice is eminently practical. Finally, as a veteran professor with an enviable record of publications, he presents his arguments lucidly and convincingly. This text, written by a leading world authority on sustainable development, is an invaluable resource.' James Gustave Speth, Yale University, and former Administrator, United Nations Development Program
'This book on sustainable development is an impressive presentation of policy-oriented research by Mohan Munasinghe … In a trans-disciplinary spirit, but with his feet firmly on the ground and drawing on knowledge from economic, ecological and social disciplines, the author presents a set of well chosen and eminently practical case studies. These examples at various levels ranging from the global/transnational to the local, convincingly demonstrate the relevance of his approach.' J. B. Opschoor, Institute of Social Studies and Free University Amsterdam, The Netherlands