In this compelling book, Tom Wessels argues that our pursuit of progress through constant economic expansion and resource inefficiency contradicts three foundational scientific laws governing complex natural systems. He challenges the myth that progress relies on a growing economy and introduces his three laws of sustainability: (1) the law of limits to growth, (2) the second law of thermodynamics, highlighting the risks of increased energy consumption, and (3) the law of self-organization, which fosters the diversity seen in evolved systems like the human body and ecosystems. These scientifically validated laws have been overlooked since the eighteenth century, first by Western economists and political leaders drawn to the idea of limitless growth, and more recently by a global economy dominated by large corporations, leading to inefficiencies in material and energy use. Wessels makes scientific concepts accessible by illustrating how these laws operate in nature, using examples such as forests to propose sustainable economic practices that can facilitate genuine progress. He asserts that all environmental issues stem from neglecting these sustainability laws, rooted in the myth of progress, and concludes with a passionate call for cultural change.
