The Age of Sustainable Development

by Jeffrey D. Sachs, Ban Ki-moon (Foreword by)

Overview

Jeffrey D. Sachs is one of the world's most perceptive and original analysts of global development. In this major new work he presents a compelling and practical framework for how global citizens can use a holistic way forward to address the seemingly intractable worldwide problems of persistent extreme poverty, environmental degradation, and political-economic injustice: sustainable development.

Sachs offers readers, students, activists, environmentalists, and policy makers the tools, metrics, and practical pathways they need to achieve Sustainable Development Goals. Far more than a rhetorical exercise, this book is designed to inform, inspire, and spur action. Based on Sachs's twelve years as director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, his thirteen years advising the United Nations secretary-general on the Millennium Development Goals, and his recent presentation of these ideas in a popular online course, The Age of Sustainable Development is a landmark publication and clarion call for all who care about our planet and global justice.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780231539005
Publisher:	Columbia University Press
Publication date:	03/03/2015
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	544
Sales rank:	170,905
File size:	51 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Jeffrey D. Sachs is a world-renowned economics professor, leader in sustainable development, senior UN advisor, best-selling author, and syndicated columnist. He serves as the director of the Earth Institute, Quetelet Professor of Sustainable Development, and professor of health policy and management at Columbia University. He is special advisor to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon of the United Nations on the Millennium Development Goals, and he held the same position under Secretary-General Kofi Annan. He is director of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network as well as cofounder and director of the Millennium Villages Project. He has authored three New York Times best-sellers in the past seven years: The End of Poverty; Common Wealth: Economics for a Crowded Planet; and The Price of Civilization. His most recent book is To Move the World: JFK's Quest for Peace.

Ban Ki-moon is the secretary-general of the United Nations, an office he assumed in 2007. He was previously the foreign minister of the Republic of Korea.

Table of Contents

Foreword, by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon of the United Nations
Preface
Acknowledgments
1. Introduction to Sustainable Development
2. An Unequal World
3. A Brief History of Economic Development
4. Why Some Countries Developed While Others Stayed Poor
5. Ending Extreme Poverty
6. Planetary Boundaries
7. Social Inclusion
8. Education for All
9. Health for All
10. Food Security
11. Resilient Cities
12. Climate Change
13. Saving Biodiversity and Protecting Ecosystem Services
14. Sustainable Development Goals
Bibliography
Index

What People are Saying About This

Paul Polman

A comprehensive and incisive overview of some of the biggest challenges facing the world today and further confirmation, if it were needed, that Sachs remains one of the most astute and authoritative observers of the age of sustainable development.

Under-Secretary-General Achim Steiner of the United Nations

As the concept of sustainable development comes of age, Jeffrey Sachs takes us on a journey from the intellectual and normative origins to the science of complexity which define today's development choices. A compelling and often personal and engaged narrative, The Age of Sustainable Development reads like a "looking glass" through which to glimpse the future—a future still characterised by more questions than answers as to how 9 billion will—together—govern the sustainable development of our planet.

Edward O. Wilson

The Age of Sustainable Development is my candidate for most important book in current circulation. Inspirational, encyclopedic in coverage, moving smoothly from discipline to discipline as though composed by multiple experts, the book explains why humanity must attain sustainability as its highest priority—and outlines the best ways to do it.

Jared Diamond

This terrific book stands out for its breadth, clarity, mastery of detail, honest discussion of complex matters, and its author's practical experience and good sense. It's actually 10 terrific books under one cover, because its accounts of economics, history, health, development, education, gender issues, food, climate change and biological diversity are among the best available. If you want to understand the modern world, and if you have room on your shelf for only one book, this is your book.

Editorial Reviews

01/26/2015
Sachs (The End of Poverty), an economist and director of Columbia University’s Earth Institute, argues that it’s time for humankind to reconcile its needs with those of the planet, in this sprawling manifesto. He surveys the great dilemma facing civilization: how to ensure broadly inclusive economic growth, especially in the poorest countries, without destroying the natural environment and deranging the climate on which survival depends. Deploying clear, straightforward prose and a wealth of statistics—the book’s countless tables and graphs are an eye-opening education in themselves—he follows the threads of this knotty problem from their scientific and economic roots to their potential solutions in new technologies and a mix of market dynamics and vigorous government action. Sachs balances alarming forecasts with signs of progress, giving brief, even-handed rundowns of policy prescriptions such as carbon taxes, foreign aid to help Africa escape its “poverty trap,” and reforms of America’s hideously expensive private health-care system. The overstuffed book suffers from a scope that precludes detailed analysis of the many contentious debates over sustainability policies and technologies, particularly in its inadequate assessments of the pros and cons of wind, solar, and nuclear power. Still, Sachs’s overview demonstrates the seriousness of the sustainability crisis while illuminating workable paths to resolving it. Maps and photos. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

For those readers who share my concerns about sustainability and climate change, I'd like to recommend a book, The Age of Development by Jeffrey D. Sachs. . . . Sachs has gathered together pages of data and charts showing the interrelatedness of all aspects of life, such as education, health, nutrition, agriculture methods, pollution of all kinds, zoning and urban planning, demographics, climate and soil quality, making it a great reference.

Moscow-Pullman Daily News - Lenna Harding

Jeff Sachs's admirable book explains what sustainable development means, why it matters, and our history in relation to our environment. It shows how the pattern of growth we have followed has placed intense strains on our planet and generated severe risks to our lives and livelihoods. Above all, it explains clearly where we can go and how to get there. It describes a potential future of great attraction in terms of wellbeing, community and prosperity, properly understood. It should, and I hope it will, strengthen both the understanding of the great choices we face and the resolve to act. It is a splendid achievement.

Lord Nicholas Stern

Sachs has probably produced the best book to date on how to manage the planet for 10 billion people.

New Scientist - Fred Pearce

Above all, The Age of Sustainable Development is very much expected to benefit, in particular, young readers –
including students – as they endeavor to identify pathways forward in this new age when one learns more about the subject of sustainable development.

African and Asian Studies - Teaway Zehyoue Collins

The Age of Sustainable Development is my candidate for most important book in current circulation. Inspirational, encyclopedic in coverage, moving smoothly from discipline to discipline as though composed by multiple experts, the book explains why humanity must attain sustainability as its highest priority—and outlines the best ways to do it.

Edward O. Wilson

It is, in my view, the best, most comprehensive and most articulate exposition of sustainable development ever written.... I would make this book compulsory reading for all politicians and business leaders.

Nature - David Griggs

In a book of incredible breadth, Sachs delivers a sobering account of the impact of human activity upon the balance of life on Earth.... Highly recommended.

Choice

a perceptive, analytical, and hopeful book about the future...This landmark in economic publications presents a brilliant examination of major worldwide threats to the planet and puts forward ways to balance economic development and environmental sustainability to overcome those threats...It is a magnum opus; the chief source of information for any person interested in understanding what sustainable development is all about.

Missourian - Bill Schwab

Comprehensive and crystal clear—what we need to make sustainable development a reality, not a dream.

James E. Hansen

This terrific book stands out for its breadth, clarity, mastery of detail, honest discussion of complex matters, and its author's practical experience and good sense. It is actually ten terrific books under one cover because its accounts of economics, history, health, development, education, gender issues, food, climate change and biological diversity are among the best available. If you want to understand the modern world, and if you have room on your shelf for only one book, this is your book.

Jared Diamond

An inspiring and enlightening read.

Africa Report

A thoughtful and comprehensive resource on this crucial topic.

Civil Engineering

Sachs's book is written for a popular audience and could be used as a complementary text for courses in environmental or development economics or in public health classes or environmental studies classes. Its breadth of insights and coverage is staggering and students and general readers will find new ideas on every page of the book.

Journal of Economic Literature - Matthew E. Kahn

A clear and cogent nontechnical survey of the world's major challenges beyond the preservation of peace and security.

Foreign Affairs - Richard N. Cooper

The Age of Sustainable Development is both sobering and inspiring: sobering because it presents in great detail the unprecedented challenges facing mankind; inspiring because it assures us that we can meet those challenges, if only we summon the will to act.

Kerry Kennedy

It is truly gratifying that an economist as distinguished as Jeffrey Sachs has authored The Age of Sustainable Development. His vast knowledge in the field and deep insights on various sectors of economic activity make him uniquely qualified to provide a view of the subject. Given the fact that almost a quartercentury has gone by since the Rio Summit of 1992, it is time for an authoritative volume such as the one Professor Sachs has authored for the benefit of global society.

Dr. Rajendra K. Pachauri

There are very few authors that can so effectively rally the masses around an important cause—one that in this case concerns our collective future. There are still too few leaders with knowledge about global sustainable development challenges to affect the scalable changes that are needed.

Professor Sachs's book is a comprehensive summary of complex issues, but it breaks them down and makes them digestible and understandable while making the imperative clear. It will clearly contribute significantly in closing the gap between science and policy, and hopefully serve as a catalyst for action.

Hans Vestberg

Sweeping, enlightening, affecting, and invaluable, The Age of Sustainable Development should be available to everyone and consulted repeatedly.

Booklist (starred review)

"An important, comprehensive and remarkably accessible book—a standout in a sea of jargon-laden titles that fail to explain and vivify this enormously complex topic" ---Kirkus Starred Review

From the Publisher

As the concept of sustainable development comes of age, Jeffrey Sachs takes us on a journey from the intellectual and normative origins to the science of complexity which define today's development choices. A compelling and often personal and engaged narrative, The Age of Sustainable Development reads like a "looking glass" through which to glimpse the future--a future still characterised by more questions than answers as to how 9 billion will--together--govern the sustainable development of our planet.

Under-Secretary-General Achim Steiner of the United Nations

A comprehensive and incisive overview of some of the biggest challenges facing the world today and further confirmation, if it were needed, that Sachs remains one of the most astute and authoritative observers of the age of sustainable development.

Paul Polman

As the concept of sustainable development comes of age, Jeffrey Sachs takes us on a journey from the intellectual and normative origins to the science of complexity which define today's development choices. In a compelling and often personal and engaged narrative, "The Age of Sustainable Development" reads like a 'looking glass' through which to glimpse the future - a future still characterised by more questions than answers as to how 9 billion will - together - govern the sustainable development of our planet.

Achim Steiner

03/15/2015
This book is a comprehensive introduction to the field of sustainable development by one of its leading scholars, advocates, and practitioners, Sachs (Quetelet Professor of Sustainable Development, also health policy and management, Columbia Univ.; director, United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network; The End of Poverty). Sustainable development refers to balancing economic development, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion—all topics on which Sachs has written extensively. The work begins with an overview and history of development, includes chapters on several specific facets of sustainable development—including biodiversity and climate change—and concludes by advancing ten related goals. These move beyond the UN's Millennium Development Goals to include management of natural resources and transformation of governance. Sachs covers a wide range of topics in considerable depth. Many colorful graphs and maps supplement the technical material. The author's prescriptions for sustainable development stand in contrast to the more pessimistic views of aid expressed by William Easterly in The White Man's Burden and the focus on individual decisions by Abhijit V. Banerjee and Esther Duflo in Poor Economics. VERDICT A synthesis and update of Sachs's work that also serves as an excellent comprehensive introduction. Recommended.—Jennifer M. Miller, Univ. of Southern California, Los Angeles

Library Journal

★ 2015-01-07
A leading economist offers a brilliant analysis of the worldwide need to balance economic development and environmental sustainability.Sustainable development is "the greatest, most complicated challenge humanity has ever faced," writes Sachs (Sustainable Development, Health Policy and Management/Columbia Univ.; To Move the World: JFK's Quest for Peace, 2013, etc.). In an important, comprehensive and remarkably accessible book—a standout in a sea of jargon-laden titles that fail to explain and vivify this enormously complex topic—the author writes lucidly about a staggering array of intertwined challenges, including poverty, overpopulation, species extinction, overextraction from oceans, urbanization, social mobility and climate change. Sachs stresses that sustainable development is "inherently an exercise in problem solving," and he calls for a holistic approach and new ideas to produce "prosperous, inclusive, sustainable, and well-governed societies." He explains the history of world economic development, the factors that help make some nations more impoverished than others (such as the landlocked nature of much of Africa), the science of climate change, how technical advances have fostered the depletion of ocean fisheries, the "unfinished business" of social mobility, and the pressing need for sustainable technologies and higher farm yields (especially in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia). In each instance, the author offers telling details and anecdotes accompanied by useful charts, maps and photographs that drive home his points. Two photos of Shenzhen, China, taken three decades apart, convey the astonishing growth of that major southern city. Examining each aspect of his topic in detail within the context of the Sustainable Development Goals formulated at the Rio+20 Summit in 2012, Sachs argues that solutions are feasible and affordable, despite strong opposition by vested interests and the inaction of governments. Required reading for policymakers and students, and general readers will finish the book realizing they actually understand what sustainable development is all about.

Kirkus Reviews