20. Overall Evaluation of Transformability and Its Trend

In order to analyse the transformational capability of our civilisation, we retake the adaptive cycle theory explained in Chap. 7. We have seen that resilience is the ability of a complex system to create, test and maintain its adaptive capacity, that is, the capability of preserving its vital functions when faced with environmental changes. We have defined the concept of transformability in ecology and the factors which determine its level: potential, connectivity and panarchy. In ecosystems a high resilience is determined by a relatively low connectivity and a high potential, due to its huge biodiversity. These factors have to be adapted to human societies, but without losing their broad meaning, taking into account two main features: today’s societies are highly unsustainable and human beings have a potential for foreseeing and averting risks. This final chapter has the task of analysing the capability of our societies to transform in order to reach sustainability. To do so we broadly evaluate each factor, as a prior step to carrying out the overall evaluation. However, we have to emphasise that we accomplish this task only based on the information contained in this book, as a first approach. In order to carry out a broad and in-depth analysis, a multidisciplinary group and a long period of time are necessary, due to the enormous amount and diversity of the information to be processed and evaluated.