Skip to main content

Breakthroughs in the Ascent of Humanity

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
The Ecosystems Revolution
  • 243 Accesses

Abstract

‘Breakthroughs in the ascent of humanity’ plots the trajectory of human development through the lens of the materials and technologies we have harnessed to further our own prospects. These have been characterised as a series of so-called ‘revolutions’ in the manipulation of natural resources. A generally narrow focus on immediate advantages accruing from largely fortuitous ‘evolutionary’ innovations has frequently also generated multiple unintended consequences, emphasising the need for greater cognisance of systemic ramifications for people and supporting ecosystems as a basis for the next societal revolution.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s)

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Everard, M. (2016). Breakthroughs in the Ascent of Humanity. In: The Ecosystems Revolution. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31658-1_3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31658-1_3

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-31657-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-31658-1

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics