The Turning Point

This is a very different book from the one of the same title written by Fritjof Capra over 30 years ago. The thrust of the book is acknowledging the challenges we face, realising that we have solutions to these and the creation of resilience to help reshape our lives and the world. We live in a time of extremes when it is becoming clear that our current thinking patterns cannot help us. Braden advocates a turning point of convergent and thriving transformation rather than a tipping point of extremes. He analyses the situation with respect to climate, population, energy and economics, supporting Lester Brown's advocacy of a Plan B. He also exposes a number of false assumptions in science, which have been contradicted by contrary evidence emerging from new and more systemic scientific models that emphasise cooperation. Even if the world changes slowly, we ourselves can change the way we respond to the world in a very short time, embracing new possibilities. Braden provides a blueprint for readers to apply this thinking to themselves and develop a personal resilience using healthy coping strategies and replacing dysfunctional attitudes. He sketches three scenarios of transformation involving catastrophe, a planned reset or evolution based on a common vision. In his view, this is much less centralised than at present and is consistent with the UN My World report of 2012. This is a well informed, inspiring and empowering book.