Introduction

Abstract

FOR MORE THAN THIRTY YEARS, the world community has tried to resolve the combined challenges of environmental degradation, fossil fuel dependence, economic inequality, and persistent social injustice, largely under the banner of internationally brokered “sustainable development.” Despite some partial successes, it is clear today that the pace of these global trends has not been slowed, let alone stopped or reversed. The scale of these trends has grown, and their effects have become so widespread that they now threaten the stability-in some cases, even the existence-of communities around the world. The global sustainability challenges of the past have become the local resilience crises of today.