48
were very similar to those published in the
report entitled the Limits to Growth. Social scientist considered the processes characteristic
for the global society in the 1970s (rapid population, production and consumption growth) to
result in a global crisis within a reasonable time
period. Their statement that not a single major
crisis shall be expected but several crises will
swipe through major regions at different dates,
however, these will eventually affect the entire
society. Humans have to change their lifestyle
and also the relationship between its society
and the natural environment if the tragic end is
to be avoided.
Fig. 2.22 Version 12 of Meadows’ model obtained in 1990. Conditions: the same as in the case of version 10 but measures are taken only in 2015 (Meadows et al. 1992)
2 Structure and Operation of Systems, Models of the Global Earth System