Book excerpt: This book provides a synthesis of sustainable development, formulating and promoting a lifestyle that would facilitate the reasonable satisfaction of the needs of all people throughout the world, be environmental friendly, and not exceed the carrying capacity of ecosystems. It details the big picture of the human story, discussing cultural evolutions and current global issues, including the influence of humans on the environment. The text is, above all, a comprehensive and future-oriented study, mapping the potential opportunities and threats associated with development. It discusses phenomena that are both easily demonstrable and those which are harder to prove.