A Prosperous Way Down: Principles and Policies

by Howard T. Odum, Elisabeth C. Odum

Overview

A Prosperous Way Down (2001), the last book by Howard T. and Elisabeth C. Odum, has shaped politics and planning as nations, states, and localities begin the search for ways to adapt to a future with vastly increased competition for energy.

A Prosperous Way Down considers ways in which a future with less fossil fuel could be peaceful and prosperous. Although history records the collapse of countless civilizations, some societies and ecosystems have managed to descend in orderly stages, reducing demands and selecting and saving what is most important.

The authors make recommendations for a more equitable and cooperative world society, with specific suggestions based on their evaluations of trends in global population, wealth distribution, energy sources, conservation, urban development, capitalism and international trade, information technology, and education.

Available for the first time in paperback, this thoughtful, provocative book forces us to confront assumptions about our world 's future and provides both a steadying hand and a call to action with its pragmatic analysis of a global transition.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781607320814
Publisher:	University Press of Colorado
Publication date:	07/31/2008
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	344
File size:	7 MB

About the Author

Howard T. Odum was internationally renowned for his development of the science of systems ecology and as a pioneering voice in environmental science, ecology, and ecological engineering and economics. Elisabeth C. Odum is professor emeritus at Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville, Florida.

Table of Contents

Part I The Approaching Summit 1 Introduction to the Way Down 2 The Present Condition 3 Intellectual Views of the Future Part II System Principles 4 The Ways of Energy and Materials in All Systems 5 Pulsing and the Growth Cycle 6 Real Wealth and the Economy 7 Spatial Organization 8 Population and Wealth Part IlII Policies for Transition and Descent 9 The Global Network 10 Energy Sources 11 Sustaining a Nation 12 Sustaining People 13 Starting Down 14 Reorganizing Cities 15 Restoring Waters 16 Refreshing the Landscape 17 Transmitting Knowledge 18 Preparing People 19 Summary for Action Notes References Index

Editorial Reviews

"The senescence period of humanity after the loss of our highest quality fuels can be a disaster or it can be planned in a way that will diminish its deleterious aspects. . . . H. T. Odum and his wife, Elisabeth, have provided a blueprint for the future with their excellent book A Prosperous Way Down."
- Ecological Modelling


"Of value to all who wish to learn more about a future in which sustainability and prosperity coexist. General readers; upper-division undergraduates and up."
- Choice


“It might well be said of Howard T. Odum that his ideas suffered inordinately for being far ahead of their time. Today's mainstream paradigm or methodology was often his outrageous suggestion of yesteryear."
- Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America

From the Publisher