Themes and Lessons Learned

This Part II summary chapter will first revisit the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in light of the case study findings. Second, the chapter examines rural community transitions to sustainable economies described in the case studies against principles of the globalization theory of rural development. Third and most importantly, the chapter identifies common themes that recur across case study settings globally to point to generalized approaches that rural communities can use to transition from fossil fuel dependence to sustainable economic models and improved public health. Common themes in efforts to promote the transition include efforts to restoring and reconnecting with the natural world, honoring the mining history of the community, respecting the rights of indigenous people, promoting both public health and economic growth concurrently, and promoting political change. Running through all of these themes is the central need for local people to take ownership over their own futures and the need to imagine what those futures should be.