World-renowned economist Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, explains that we have an opportunity to shape the fourth industrial revolu­tion, which will fundamentally alter how we live and work. Schwab argues that this revolution is different in scale, scope and complexity from any that have come before. Characterized by a range of new technologies that are fusing the physical, digital and biological worlds, the developments are affecting all disciplines, economies, industries and governments, and even challenging ideas about what it means to be human. Artificial intelligence is already all around us, from supercomputers, drones and virtual assistants to 3D printing, DNA sequencing, smart thermostats, wear­able sensors and microchips smaller than a grain of sand. But this is just the beginning: nanomaterials 200 times stronger than steel and a million times thinner than a strand of hair and the first transplant of a 3D printed liver are already in development. Imagine “smart factories” in which global systems of manu­facturing are coordinated virtually, or implantable mobile phones made of biosynthetic materials. The fourth industrial revolution, says Schwab, is more significant, and its ramifications more profound, than in any prior period of human history. He outlines the key technologies driving this revolution and discusses the major impacts expected on government, business, civil society and individu­als. Schwab also offers bold ideas on how to harness these changes and shape a better future—one in which technology empowers people rather than replaces them; progress serves society rather than disrupts it; and in which innovators respect moral and ethical boundaries rather than cross them. We all have the opportunity to contribute to developing new frame­works that advance progress.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER From the former vice president and #1 New York Times bestselling author comes An Inconvenient Truth for everything—a frank and clear-eyed assessment of six critical drivers of global change in the decades to come. Ours is a time of revolutionary change that has no precedent in history. With the same passion he brought to the challenge of climate change, and with his decades of experience on the front lines of global policy, Al Gore surveys our planet’s beclouded horizon and offers a sober, learned, and ultimately hopeful forecast in the visionary tradition of Alvin Toffler’s Future Shock and John Naisbitt’s Megatrends. In The Future, Gore identifies the emerging forces that are reshaping our world: • Ever-increasing economic globalization has led to the emergence of what he labels “Earth Inc.”—an integrated holistic entity with a new and different relationship to capital, labor, consumer markets, and national governments than in the past. • The worldwide digital communications, Internet, and computer revolutions have led to the emergence of “the Global Mind,” which links the thoughts and feelings of billions of people and connects intelligent machines, robots, ubiquitous sensors, and databases. • The balance of global political, economic, and military power is shifting more profoundly than at any time in the last five hundred years—from a U.S.-centered system to one with multiple emerging centers of power, from nation-states to private actors, and from political systems to markets. • A deeply flawed economic compass is leading us to unsustainable growth in consumption, pollution flows, and depletion of the planet’s strategic resources of topsoil, freshwater, and living species. • Genomic, biotechnology, neuroscience, and life sciences revolutions are radically transforming the fields of medicine, agriculture, and molecular science—and are putting control of evolution in human hands. • There has been a radical disruption of the relationship between human beings and the earth’s ecosystems, along with the beginning of a revolutionary transformation of energy systems, agriculture, transportation, and construction worldwide. From his earliest days in public life, Al Gore has been warning us of the promise and peril of emergent truths—no matter how “inconvenient” they may seem to be. As absorbing as it is visionary, The Future is a map of the world to come, from a man who has looked ahead before and been proven all too right. Praise for The Future “Magisterial . . . The passion is unmistakable. So is the knowledge. Practically every page offers an illumination.”—Bloomberg “In The Future . . . Gore takes on a subject whose scale matches that of his achievements and ambition.”—The New York Times Book Review “Historically grounded . . . Gore’s strengths lie in his passion for the subject and in his ability to take the long view by putting current events and trends in historical context.”—Publishers Weekly “Provocative, smart, densely argued . . . a tour de force of Big Picture thinking.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “A luminously intelligent analysis that is packed with arresting ideas and facts.”—The Guardian

Sustainable Growth in Global Markets provides a comprehensive introduction to the concept of market and business management outside the domestic market. It covers complex elements of market management, analysing behavioural theories such as theory of comparative advantage, theories of macro and micro marketing economics, socio-cultural theories, and various contemporary concepts of international business management. The book puts forward a broad foundation of the subject beginning with a discussion of the concept of market dynamics and followed by an analysis of the changing behaviour of markets and its components. The core discussion focuses upon the ability to do business in international markets, putting forward critical insights on the significance of leadership, building consumer value through innovation, tracking the external environment for organizational change as well as important emerging trends towards building an innovative venture.

This open access book brings together leading international scholars and policy-makers to explore the challenges and dilemmas of globalization and governance in an era increasingly defined by economic crises, widespread populism, retreating internationalism, and a looming cold war between the United States and China. It provides the diversity of views on those widely concerned topics such as global governance, climate change, global health, migration, S&T revolution, financial market, and sustainable development. It is a truly unique book. Never before has such an authoritative group of essayists come together to develop deep new thinking about global governance that is relevant to current shared global challenges. They express deep concerns about the historically unprecedented upheavals in the world. They describe the unparalleled turbulence that mankind is facing in the form of multiple crises, any one of which has the potential to bring civilization to its knees. The most obvious of these is the threat posed by climate change. They spell out why these perils pose a stark choice for the human race. They stress how any path that leads to conflict increases the risk of catastrophe. In this context, the common thread is that a consensus must be reached about the future of our world. They have put forward many ideas and potential new policies, reflecting their vision of what this consensus should be and how it is the only way forward for the human race.

'This book talks about a genuine greening of the economy: from the most theoretical aspects, e.g. the genealogy of ecological economics, to the most practical. The two most prominent conclusions are, for me: this greening cannot be achieved by companies alone, but can only be the result of different kinds of innovation: technological, organizational, institutional and lifestyle changes. The changes must be implemented at all levels, from the firm to international governance.' Dominique Bourg, University of Lausanne, Switzerland 'Crisis, Innovation and Sustainable Development is a fascinating exploration at the frontiers of economics and ecology. It combines topical surveys of current work with deep reflection on the repressed role of nature in the history of economics. A work of great range and value, especially for all concerned with the strategy of economic policy going forward.' James K. Galbraith, The University of Texas at Austin, US This unique and informative book highlights the relationship between crisis, innovation, and sustainable development, and discusses the necessary conditions required to seize the ecological opportunity. The authors study the strength of change for building a new society, and the theoretical origins and political aspects of environmental concerns. They also sketch the outlines of a global governance system seeking to promote sustainable development. Written from a multidisciplinary perspective, this volume will appeal to postgraduate students and researchers in the economics of innovation, environmental economics and political economy, as well as policy makers and practitioners.

This book introduces readers to the status quo and recent advances in China’s low-carbon development. From the evolution of human civilization, to the proposal of low-carbon concepts, up to the choice of China’s low-carbon path, the book provides a comprehensive review of low-carbon development, while also elaborating on the core concept, goals and methods. In addition, it addresses a series of questions and issues closely tied to today’s social development, such as: “Why is it so vital to pursue low-carbon development?” and “How can China implement low-carbon development?” Accordingly, readers will gain a better grasp of low-carbon development, including low-carbon production and low-carbon lifestyles.

Climate change and its impact on society is considered one of the most important factors in understanding social and economic variables. Changing patterns in ecosystems, populations, and economic sectors form a perfect system for the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. In order to understand how these goals can be addressed, further study on the current tactics and initiatives is required. Climate Change, World Consequences, and the Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 discusses the impact of climate change on the environment and the prospects for citizens, cities, and industry. The book also conducts an analysis of climate change to understand how society is coping and its effect on economic sectors. Moreover, it examines current strategies for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and mitigating the negative impact on the environment. Covering a range of topics such as energy, global warming, and smart cities, this reference work is ideal for policymakers, environmentalists, government officials, practitioners, academicians, scholars, researchers, instructors, and students.

The 2008 global economic crisis resulted in many new changes in global economic governance, multilateral trading system, the Group20 major economies, regional economic cooperation and other international governance platforms. Countries around the world have begun a complex battle to make sure rules are changed in their favor. Furthermore, rule reconstruction has a definite and profound impact on the international economic situation and national trade interests. This book by Former Chinese Minister of Commerce Chen Deming, aims to highlight the focal issues of the competition and negotiations with a panoramic depiction of the complicated state of international economic and trade rule reconstruction.The chapters in the book discuss rules of global governance, reflect on the crisis rarely seen in the past century, and raise the proposition of rule reconstruction. They also focus on multilateral trading system, regional economic cooperation and related international financial rules. Detailed deliberations on various kinds of trade rules including rules of services trade, government procurement, intellectual property, investment, international development cooperation, etc are also dealt with. Lastly, the book provides an outlook on the path, direction and key issues of international economic rule reconstruction, and offers recommendations on China's engagement.