Why, considering the meaning of humans (A), also the integrity of the Earth system (B), the results and its use of ESR (C) and the lessons learned in development(D), we are not getting the appropriate global, continental and national sustainable well-being?

With humility, we recognize that we were not prepared for the above challenge; leadership was absent even with the availability of guidelines to set real role models. It means that we should be better prepared to deal with (A), (B), (C) and (D), to go the extra mile with new paradigms, models and actions, but this time all the conditions/drivers are in our favor (habitability of Earth is at stake).

The “tune up” required will need to see and foresee our reality with a unified conception, using the Earth language, an universal language understood by anyone that occupies an space on Earth. This “template” could be converted to a three dimensional figure (systems, realms and information)that could help navigate U.S.A.L. (understanding/scheme/action/love) and also could be the forerunner of a Strategic Framework for ESR and Development(SFESRD). It could also facilitate the involvement of multidisciplinary teams to detect the gaps and connect the dots when we superimpose the “template” on any ecosystem of Earth.

And last but not the least, we need to break the current inertia. The potential of ESSP to involve a significant part of our collective intelligence is there. The advances made(MA/MDG/IPCC, CGIAR/CRSP, NLEducation, etc)should lead to cover the remaining realms and systems but at the continent/region/country levels(part of SFESRD).Our education/research system should also be involved, at least the enthusiasm and success of our youth, as part of the K-1 to K-51 landscape(future stewards of planet Earth).

To get faster results(before 2015), we could announce that every member of the scientific community is donating one hour/week for the next 10 years, that could trigger involvement of our civil society and give meaning to the splendor of the human species.

If continuing and unsustainable growth in the global human population is accepted as the principal cause of accelerating environmental/natural resource degradation, what is keeping the global science community from more forcefully engaging the key political establishments to educate and drive the radical changes required, to lead the world towards a level of reasonable sustainability? How can we get them to take on such a role?

Without leadership and urgent government action, to date sadly lacking, we are likely to reach crisis point, leading to global catastrophe. Continual waffle and ‘feel good’ measures such as ‘cap & trade’ legislation are unlikely to achieve any real positive/timely result.

Given that political administrations tend to be driven by poling statistics/insuring incumbency, it would seem that the general public must somehow become engaged in a grassroots driven campaign to give voice to the very real issues raised by the global science community. Without a sense of urgency we will reach a point of ‘no return’ and, ‘too little too late’ to achieve any meaningful result.