The Age of Sustainable Development

"an important, comprehensive and remarkably accessible book—a standout in a sea of jargon-laden titles that fail to explain and vivify this enormously complex topic"—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Sweeping, enlightening, affecting, and invaluable, The Age of Sustainable Development should be available to everyone and consulted repeatedly."—Booklist (starred review)

"Jeff Sachs’ 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 well-being, community and prosperity, properly understood. It should, and I hope it will, strengthen both the understanding of the great choices we face and the resolve to act. It is a splendid achievement."—Lord Nicholas Stern, Grantham Research Institute

"This terrific book stands out for its breadth, clarity, mastery of detail, honest discussion of complex matters, and its author’s practical experience and good sense. It’s actually 10 terrific books under one cover, because its accounts of economics, history, health, development, education, gender issues, food, climate change and biological diversity are among the best available. If you want to understand the modern world, and if you have room on your shelf for only one book, this is your book."—Jared Diamond, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Guns, Germs, and Steel, reviewing a previous edition or volume

"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’ book is a comprehensive summary of complex issues, but it breaks them down and makes them digestible and understandable while making the imperative clear. It will clearly contribute significantly in closing the gap between science and policy, and hopefully serve as a catalyst for action."—Hans Vestberg, CEO, Ericsson

"A comprehensive and incisive overview of some of the biggest challenges facing the world today and further confirmation, if it were needed, that Sachs remains one of the most astute and authoritative observers of the age of sustainable development."—Paul Polman, CEO, Unilever

"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 which define today’s development choices. In 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 characterised by more questions than answers as to how 9 billion will - together - govern the sustainable development of our planet."—Achim Steiner, United Nations Under-Secretary-General & Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme

"In this era marked by geo-political and ecological crises, unspeakable structural violence and unprecedented inequality on the one hand and breath-taking 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."—Michel Sidibé, Executive Director, UNAIDS

"The Age of Sustainable Development is my candidate for most important book in current circulation. Inspirational, encyclopedic in coverage, moving smoothly from discipline to discipline as though composed by multiple experts, Sachs explains why humanity must attain sustainability as its highest priority—and he outlines the best ways to do it."—Edward O. Wilson, University Research Professor Emeritus, Harvard University

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