Not until the spread of the Industrial Revolution in the late nineteenth century, has man possessed the ability.
to adversely alter, on a global scale, the geologic and climatic cycles that have existed for millennia. Planet.
earth, which man calls home, is approximately 5 billion years old. The science of paleontology tells us that.
man is a relative new comer to the planet. Modern man did not arrive on the scene until approximately.
10,000 to 15,000 years ago. Developments in hunting, agriculture, literacy, and the sciences, have allowed.
man to thrive and inhabit nearly every corner of the planet. However, this success has not been good for the.
earth. The world's population has recently surpassed 6 billion and the developed countries community.
models and lifestyles are not sustainable. .
Due to rapid, unrestrained growth, housing, shopping, and entertainment construction has spread across the.
surface of the planet like an oil slick. We are depleting resources and altering ecosystems at an alarming rate.
Only now are we beginning to comprehend the long-term effects of more than a century of environmental.
ignorance, neglect, and apathy. .
Historically, city and community planners lacked the vision and understanding that would lead to.
environmentally friendly and sustainable conditions, allowing us to live in harmony with nature. This, coupled.
with irresponsible consumerism and poor individual choices, has led us to a crossroad. It is now clear we.
cannot continue to build communities that are unsustainable and we must change our lifestyles.