Mankind is caught in a self-made trap. The conflict between conventional economics and the growing realisation that we need to save our planet is irreconcilable. A revolution is required.

Globalisation is sucking resources from the Earth at an increasing rate, driving many industrial activities to places of lowest environmental and social standards; whilst the policy of sustainability is seeking to persuade people, organisations and corporations to behave responsibly towards social issues and the environment. Our current mechanisms of capitalism cannot handle these diverging forces. The established order of how we run society is set to be overthrown and the business landscape reconfigured.

Out of this, a new reality will emerge, based on selfish determination to construct successful, sustainable societies. In this book a wide range of issues are examined; from climate change, energy and agriculture to transportation, manufacturing and urban living. Predictions as to how society will evolve are linked with innovative proposals to ensure that our future will be sustainable.

Adapt and Thrive charts a way forward at variance with many of the ways that have become deeply entrenched in the developed world. It is disturbing in outlining the problems, inspiring in showing a route towards a sustainable society and surprising in the role foreseen for business as the primary agent for change.


Peter McManners is a Visiting Executive Fellow of Henley Management College, Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, member of the Institute of Directors, member of the Centre for Alternative Technology and member of the Green Economics Institute.