We are the first species to become a geophysical force, single-handedly altering Earth’s atmosphere and climate. We have initiated the 6th great extinction spasm of geological history by the massive destruction of ecosystems and the loss of plant and animal species.

The consequences of inaction would be catastrophic, however the essential collective programme of action offers a fantastic opportunity to understand, embrace and enhance our complex natural world.

The Agricultural Revolution began 10,000 years ago and the Industrial Revolution 300 years ago. Both required centuries to fully develop. By contrast, the revolution we now need, the Environmental Revolution, must be compressed into decades at the most. Planning designing and building this environmental revolution will entail reshaping our economies, politics, lifestyles and values.

Whilst existing cities in the developed world need to take massive steps to curb emissions of CO2, introduce renewable energy supplies, build back the densities in the centres, introduce live / work policies, improve the public transport systems, and encourage urban farming initiatives, this will be a long, complex, difficult task to build within and over the centuries of growth and antiquated infrastructure. The existing cities of the world are struggling to cope with the constant growth. Urban sprawl into vast suburbs cannot be allowed to continue. So we now need new sustainable cities with new infrastructures sited strategically to benefit from renewable energy sources, fresh water supplies, and fertile land. These cities promise a new beginning, a chance to correct our mistakes, utilise our ingenuity and creativity to plan the agrarian renaissance, the Environmental Revolution.