The preceding chapter explored the nature of and necessity for the transformations that we will face in the coming years. Transformations that have already begun and most recently include pandemic adaptation, virtual work, and economic realignments. The norms of our culture are not sustainable. Nature, upon which we depend, has demonstrated remarkable buffering capacity to cope with the excesses of human enterprise, but we are at the limits of that capacity as is evidenced by the climate hazards and ecosystem disruptions we confront on a daily basis. The pathways to sustainability are right in front of us and we will adopt cultural values and practices that reflect those pathways. The only question is when. The longer we wait the more painful  and disruptive will be the transition. This chapter outlines the rationale for sustainable systems and the pathways that we need to take going forward.

Summary Infographic

Authors

Alex Bland², Kate Feldman², Salina Edwards¹, Kishore Hari¹, Kyara Liu¹ , Dr. Stefan Grzybowski^1,2,

¹ Rural Health Services Research Network of BC, Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia
² Centre for Rural Health Research, Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia

RHSRNbc is funded by the Rural Coordination Centre of BC.