In this work, four major issues are discussed that are of global importance: developments related to two of our key natural resources; water and biodiversity; the health of human populations; and the developments related to global tourism.

The Earth System may be the most complex entity that ever emerged in our galaxy, and the contemporary processes of globalization may be the most intricate dynamics that will ever pervade that entity. It is the interactive co-evolution of millions of technological, cultural, economical, social and environmental trends that brings about the present fundamental transformation of humanity's way of life. In this work the transition concept is used for examining current and future tensions between welfare, well-being and the environment at a global scale. Four major issues are discussed that are of global importance: developments related to two of our key natural resources; water and biodiversity; the health of human populations; and the developments related to global tourism.