Acting as if tomorrow matters: accelerating the transition to sustainability

[Pt.] I. Modest progress toward an increasingly distant goal. Environmental and public health protection : steps forward and steps back

Growing consumption and population

Greater poverty, unemployment, and attention to environmental justice

The built environment : shifting toward sustainability

Governance : communities as sustainability leaders, states as energy leaders (and the federal government catching up?)

Improving opportunities for sustainability education and engagement

International activity : a more-sustainable direction but reduced influence

[pt.] II. Drivers for sustainability. Growing support in spite of mixed public opinion

More-sustainable decisions are easier to make and more attractive

Lawmaking is not limited to environmental regulation

[pt.] III. Obstacles to further progress. Habits, lack of urgency, and uncertainty about alternatives

Unsupportive law and governance

Political opposition and growing influence of other countries

[pt.] IV. Accelerating progress, overcoming obstacles. More and better sustainability choices

Law for sustainability

Visionary and pragmatic governance

An American sustainability movement.