Sustainable Development in a Dynamic World

Book excerpt: TheWorld Development Report 2003addresses how to lift from poverty the three billion people now living in severe deprivation. It also explores how to improve the quality of life for everybody today and for the two billion more who will join mankind in the next thirty years. Substantial increases in growth and productivity will be necessary to achieve this goal. The current scale of economic activity and speed of change is such that ecosystem and social structures cannot keep up. TheReportputs forth two main messages: the first point is that enhancing prosperity and reducing poverty requires better care of the planet's ecosystem and social fabric. And secondly, that stronger collective action at all levels--from local to global--is essential for generating and scaling up the institutions that can transform growth.