More and more people find themselves concerned by the dilemma of how to live a life that brings growth and fulfilment, yet that is at the same time considerate of the finite resources of our Earth; a life that is joyful but that can also contribute to our finding a way out of the ecological and climate crisis. A growing number of economists, social researchers and business leaders are critically examining the responsibilities of their own fields and looking for ways in which they could be part of the solution. Many responsible, sensitive people doubt that they are doing enough, and wonder just how they can enjoy life before the arrival of ‘the end of the world’.

These gigantic, systemic crisis phenomena dwarf the possibilities of any single person. What can one individual do in the face of global climate politics, trade treaties, international monopolies, national economic and social policies or a global pandemic? We may feel that whatever we do, we cannot have an impact on these things: with or without us, the world goes on as it otherwise would. At the same time, we are already responding to the crisis, just as we are. Our very existence and our current habits have an impact, so we cannot opt out of responding, and our response, whether conscious or not, expresses our connection to these issues.

We probably want to feel that what we are doing (including our work and our consumer habits) is good and is enough – not to let the magnitude of the challenge overwhelm us. One can interpret it as a search for an integration of our pleasure-seeking selves and our moral selves. How can we feel well and do well?

The purpose of this book is to outline an approach to a thriving life that does not cost the Earth, as well as to inspire the reader to explore and scrutinize their existing beliefs, habits and behaviours about success and good life. The aim is to find a life strategy where we can be connected to our own deepest needs as well as to the interest of others, seeing ourselves as part of an organic relationship in which we create and regenerate the world and at the same time are shaped and sustained by it. I call this symbiosis a ‘flourishing life’.