Balancing ecological impairment and repair for sustainability

Although this manuscript was prepared for a specific region, the North American Great Lakes, the major elements are important to the quest for sustainable use of the planet anywhere in the world. Since sustainability will often involve an eco-region that consists of more than one political entity, a bio-regional entity will be essential. The unifying theme is the intent to leave a habitable planet for future generations. In order to accomplish this, a consilience (literally leaping together) of the social and natural sciences is essential. When one considers the often bitter fragmentation of human society in many parts of the world and the isolation of disciplines in educational institutions, consilience seems visionary and utopian. But, visions of a better future can be very powerful and produce major paradigm shifts. The future of human society depends on the development of robust sustainability initiatives for Earth's bioregions. This `futures studies' manuscript explores the broad outlines of such an undertaking.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]