Are industrial societies sustainable

[ludwig]

Is it actually possible for the planet to sustain a modern way of life, or is the only way to survive to go back to a pre-industrial revolution type of existence?

[vixxen]

well difficult i know but pre industrial still had the smog?

[HatlessJack]

People will always need 'things' and therefore there will be a long line of processes required to manufacture the raw materials required.

The industrial revolution gathered many of these smaller processes together with a common source of power to increase speed and productivity.

I can't see that we could go backwards and start up a society where these 'cottage' industries could produce the volume of 'things' required by world citizens.

[johntywino]

I think I wouldn't mind going back to the "Hunter/Gatherer" period....No football, no mortgage NO TELLY A warm little cave to live in....Absolute BLISS!!!

[Totterdown]

Unfortunately there is still "famines, diseases and bloody wars"