The Edge: How competition for resources is pushing the world, and its climate, to the brink - and what we can do about it

The world is at war over critical natural resources, and the economy, everyone, and everything depends on energy, minerals, and water. Competition for and consumption of natural resources is manifesting itself in geopolitical conflict and climate change. The Edge seeks to explain why the world is facing so many challenges and establish a framework to explain what is happening. It sheds light on problems to reveal solutions, such as wasting most of the natural resources that we depend on.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 30 October 2022
Publisher: Brown Dog Books

The world is at a critical juncture, teetering on the edge of history. The global community is engaged in a fierce battle over the finite natural resources that define our world. Energy, minerals, and water, the lifeblood of the economy, are at the center of this conflict, as they are essential to the production and consumption of all goods and services. Food, another vital resource, is being cut off by conflicts over its distribution, leaving millions of people vulnerable to hunger and malnutrition.

The competition for and relentless consumption of natural resources is manifesting itself on a global scale, leading to geopolitical conflict and climate change. The Russian invasion of Ukraine, for example, has brought to light the urgent need for energy security and the economic and environmental consequences of failure.

The Edge is a book that explores our limits, but also a turning point. It seeks to explain why the world is facing so many challenges today, to ask "so what" in terms of the implications for individuals, society, and the planet, and to offer solutions. The book aims to establish a framework to understand what is happening in the world and to recognize the patterns that connect these events.

As new news emerges every day, such as the UK's financial crisis, the European energy crisis, the sabotage of gas pipelines, extreme weather events in the United States, and the debates over climate action and Russian aggression in the Ukraine, we can see the patterns that connect them. The root causes of these problems are global geopolitical, economic, and environmental factors.

The Edge sheds light on these problems in order to reveal solutions. One of the biggest challenges we face is the waste of natural resources that we depend on and consume for our daily lives. Global geopolitical tensions, economic inequality, and consumerist culture contribute to this waste, leading to environmental degradation, climate change, and social unrest.

To address these challenges, we need to adopt a more sustainable and equitable approach to resource management. This includes promoting renewable energy sources, reducing waste and pollution, and investing in sustainable infrastructure and technologies. It also requires international cooperation and collaboration, as the problems we face are global in nature and require a collective effort to solve.

In conclusion, the world is at a critical juncture, and the Edge provides a valuable framework for understanding the challenges we face and the solutions we need to implement. By adopting a more sustainable and equitable approach to resource management, we can ensure a brighter future for ourselves and future generations.

Weight: 355g
Dimension: 210 x 148 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781839525612