In the face of growing anxiety about global environmental sustainability, George Francis, a leading authority in the field of sustainability studies, examines initiatives undertaken in Canada over the past twenty-five years to protect some of our unique environments. Focusing mainly on collaborative studies of thirty-one landscape regions – designated as “Biosphere Reserves” by UNESCO or as “Model Forests” by the Canadian Forest Service – Francis also summarizes smaller sustainability projects across the country. The author concludes on a hopeful note, looking at solutions considered, proposed, and in some cases already implemented by groups striving for sustainability in an increasingly complex world.
George Francis is a distinguished professor emeritus in the School of Environment, Resources, and Sustainability at the University of Waterloo, Ontario. He is a seminal figure in the field of sustainability studies in Canada and was intimately involved in many of the projects described in this volume.
Striving for Environmental Sustainability in a Complex World … is an important and interesting look at various innovative ideas that have had varying degrees of success pertaining to living sustainably in Canada.