Using China as an example of the magnitude of the stresses, the planet is experiencing, whilst illustrating how the developed world is responsible for creating unsustainable growth, this chapter introduces the reader to the pressures on the long-term sustainability of the planet and the implications for the future if a ‘do nothing’ policy is maintained. It provides examples where the rush to economic growth has led to environmental and socio-economic disaster and introduces the concept of ‘green growth’ and the decoupling of economic growth from environmental pressures: exploring the continuing dichotomy between the desire for increasing standard of living, health and quality of life for a growing population and the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, pollution and destruction of the natural world. The purpose of the book is explained as well as a brief overview of the remaining chapters.