The influence of scale [in sustainable human activity]

Abstract

Tomorrow, forward thinkers postulate, will be dominated by the knowledge sector of a global, more socially-oriented civilization, where information, rather than pig iron or pork bellies will be the primary commodity. To chart a sustainable course will require far more than knowledge, and yet far less than we might imagine. The scale of activity will take on critical importance as ecological laws increasingly dictate human activity. Schumacher's (1973) "Small is Beautiful" slogan will take on new meaning as scale influences technologies, economies and ultimately civilizations. For meaningful decisions, the scale of human activities will require contextual assessment through application of transdisciplinary thinking. Whether ruling bodies are willing to realize optimal scales of sustainable human activity, is at present uncertain. However, human ability to adapt to changes in scale will likely prove crucial to human survival.