The Role of Plans in Achieving a Sustainable and Prosperous Society without Irreversible Environmental Damage

Abstract

This paper discusses the role of plan in order to achieve prosperity without irreversible environmental damage. First, this paper reviews existing findings about environmental damage and the extended ramifications, which shows the necessity and possibility of achieving sufficient prosperity without critical environmental damage. Second, this paper suggests prosperity in our time has depended too much on economic growth, which makes it difficult to reduce the causes of environmental damage from our society. Third, this paper discusses how plans and planning can contribute to the realization of an environmentally sustainable society. Planning should manage society to achieve long-term goals to reduce environmental damage and integrate various policies and stakeholders to produce creative synergies. Moreover, plans should be made to provide various desirable future visions to motivate cooperation toward a sustainable and prosperous society.