The Age of Sustainable Development

565 Pages·2015·78.11 MB·English

by  Jeffrey D. Sachs, Ki-moon Ban

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 understanding of the
great choices we face and the resolve to act. It is a splendid achievement.
(cid:2)(cid:3)Lord Nicholas Stern, chair, Grantham Research Institute on Climate
Change and Environment
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 mak-
ing the imperative clear. It will clearly contribute significantly in closing the
gap between science and policy and hopefully serve as a catalyst for action.
(cid:2)(cid:3)Hans Vestberg, CEO, Ericsson
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 that defines 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 charac-
terized by more questions than answers as to how 9 billion will—together—
govern the sustainable development of our planet.
(cid:2)(cid:3)Under-Secretary-General Achim Steiner of the United Nations, executive
director, United Nations Environment Programme
In this era marked by geopolitical and ecological crises, unspeakable structural
violence, and unprecedented inequality, on the one hand, and breathtaking
advances in science and technology and untold opportunities, on the other,
a new narrative for social, economic, and environmental justice is urgently
needed. Prof. Sachs, distinguished thinker, commentator, and activist, charts
a clear and compelling path, both moral and scientific, which cuts neatly
through the increasing complexity and interdependence to the realization of a
holistic vision of sustainable development. A very timely handbook to inform
and empower all those who have a stake in the post-2015 debate on the future
of our planet.
(cid:2)(cid:3)Mr. Michel Sidibé, executive director, UNAIDS
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 quarter-
century 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.
(cid:2)(cid:3)Dr. Rajendra K. Pachauri, director-general, TERI; chairman, IPCC
Comprehensive and crystal clear—what we need to make sustainable develop-
ment a reality, not a dream.
(cid:2)(cid:3)Dr. James E. Hansen, director, Earth Institute Program in Climate Sci-
ence, Awareness, and Solutions
THE AGE OF
SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY PRESS NEW YORK
THE AGE OF
SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
JEFFREY D. SACHS
Columbia University Press
Publishers Since 1893
New York‚ Chichester, West Sussex
cup.columbia.edu
Copyright © 2015 Jeffery D. Sachs
All rights reserved
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Sachs, Jeffrey.
The age of sustainable development / Jeffrey D. Sachs.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-231-17314-8 (cloth : alk. paper) —
ISBN 978-0-231-17315-5 (pbk. : alk. paper) —
ISBN 978-0-231-53900-5 (e-book)
1. Sustainable development.
2. Economic development—Environmental aspects.
I. Title.
HC79.E5S2155 2015
338.9' 27—dc23
2014034070
Columbia University Press books are printed
on permanent and durable acid-free paper.
This book is printed on paper with recycled content.
Printed in the United States of America
c 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
p 1 0 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Cover image: Félix Pharand-Deschênes/Globaïa
Cover and book design: Lisa Hamm
References to websites (URLs) were accurate at the time of writing.
Neither the author nor Columbia University Press is responsible
for URLs that may have expired or changed since
the manuscript was prepared.
For Sienna Sachs Beck, Willa Tatum Sachs Beck, and their generation:
Let us build a world of sustainable development
•

CONTENTS
Foreword xi
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon of the United Nations
Preface xiii
Acknowledgments xv
INTRODUCTION TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
1 1
I What Is Sustainable Development? 1
II An Introduction to Economic Growth 14
III Continuing Poverty in the Midst of Plenty 27
IV Global Environmental Threats Caused by Economic Development 34
V Pathways to Sustainable Development 42
AN UNEQUAL WORLD
2 45
I Incomes Around the World 45
II Urban-Rural Inequality 50
III Income Inequality Within Countries 55
IV Measuring Wellbeing 60
V Convergence or Divergence? 66