Dearly Beloved

The theories of sustainability

Dearly Beloved is a book that uses sustainable theories like the UN's Agenda 21, Limits to Growth, and Natural Capitalism to evaluate the interrelated dynamic between established ethical frameworks, devise mapping systems as a means of discovering, and express the internal workings of complex systems. Alongside resources for developing sustainable change, such as Community Based Social Marketing, Movement Action Plan, and Cradle to Cradle, Dearly Beloved utilizes beautiful imagery to express ways sustainable change is taking place now, why it is important, and how an individual can get involved in any capacity.

The format of the book was inspired by the Eames Powers of Ten video; starting with the first chapter at the scale of a single cell, to the tenth chapter at the scale of paradigms.

Preface

William Anderson took this picture from the Apollo 8 spacecraft during the first manned mission around the moon on December 10, 1968 (NASA, 2015). The photo shows every single life that Earth held to that day. From microbacteria to the blue whale. Life that is sad, scary, hopeful, beautiful and dangerous. Despite its share of bickering and wars, love and celebration, heartache and loss, it is home.

It is a home that we have taken for granted, left to fend for itself without maintenance, nurturing, or support. And for what? To make more, buy more, sell more and profit, all in the name of our differences? Profit that breeds insecurity, makes friends enemies, divides us based on differences we should be celebrating.

There must be change and it must be now. We can embrace our differences, collaborate in our uniqueness, and mend the wounds we have placed on our home. Amidst hatred and fear, there can be kindness. In fact there is nothing more important. That is too easily forgotten. The habits we have developed have made an impact on life all over the planet. We need to leave a legacy of helping each other. Without it, there can be no home, and no one to claim it so.