This text draws strategic connections between scientific research, technological development, and societies' efforts to achieve environmentally sustainable improvements in human well being.

"Our Common Journey" documents large-scale historical currents of social and environmental change and reviews methods for "what if" analysis of possible future development pathways and their implications for sustainability. The book also identifies the greatest threats to sustainability - in areas such as human settlements, agriculture, industry, and energy - explores the most promising opportunities for circumventing or mitigating these threats. It goes on to discuss what indicators of change, from children's birth-weights to atmosphere chemistry, will be most useful in monitoring a transition to sustainability.