Evolutionary complex systems and sustainable development

Abstract

One useful definition of sustainability that will be used here, is that of the maintenance of future options available for people to continue with, and if possible improve, their quality of life. Actions, policies or investment patterns that deplete easily available resources are therefore very obviously unsustainable unless part of some more comprehensive plan, which if it is to be successful must be based on some exploration of possible future paths of the system. How can we understand our predicament sufficiently well in order to be able to plan better policies and actions with regard to sustainability?, and how can the unsustainable activities of today be changed in order to make them sustainable? What is the nature of ‘sustainability’ anyway? If it is about maintaining future options, then is it about seeking some maximal level of production and consumption corresponding to the greatest possible exploitation of natural resources in an artificial, managed world, or does it instead concern our capacity to adapt and change and fit within a relatively natural environment, and to develop a diverse and varied abundance of activities, spreading the environmental load of our activities broadly, and using our creativity and innovation to fit better into nature?