Figure 10.2 of the chapter provided a simple model of understanding how the human goals are well within the ability of the earth to sustain it. However, if the human goals are to be sustainable in the sense of continuing well beyond the now, it must fit within the ecological bounds, economic bounds, and the limits of the biosphere itself. Another way of understanding the topic being presented in the chapter is as follows: the anthropocene should exist in a smaller realm than the greater biosphere that it inhabits. Sustainable development from human ideas should be necessarily constrained ideas at that. However, this should not dissuade innovation to continue increasing the scope of the anthropocene, it is to the contrary. If the innovations are so great that it will allow for squashing the negative effects that were previous experienced by the same process, that process is able to continue with a cleaner consciousness. But until then, the current body of sustainable development should be constrained as not to push the outer boundaries, thereby defining itself as a sustainably developed process. This realistic view that development is not without boundaries is what the author provides as another model for thought leaders and policymakers to use to provide a platform for including or excluding various types of development to occur. If it is not sustainable and realistic, should it even exist?
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