DOI
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Summary
Chapter 1 of Limits to Growth starts with an argumentation about “overshoot”, a generalization of experiences where people crosses the limits of some constraints. Three general causes of overshoot are presented: 1) growth (acceleration, rapid change), 2) limits (beyond which it is not safe to go), 3) Delays in response to the (possible overshoot). The chapter then turns to outlining the causes and consequences of population and economy that has grown past the support capacities of the earth, and how the book chapters will deal with the different aspects of the problems. It presents how the book follows the logic of the global systems analysis by first looking at the driving factors behind rapid change, then at planetary limits and then at the processes through which human society learns about and responds to the change. The phenomenon of growth rates is scrutinized, exemplified and criticized. A simple system model for material flows is presented, starting at sources (Natural Resources) with an arrow picturing Resource use to Materials and Fuels in Use, followed again by an arrow representing emissions and finally how these end up as sinks (Wastes in the Environment). The chapter ends by briefly presenting the alternative scenarios for population growth and for human welfare.

Relevance for Complex Systems Knowledge
Chapter 1 presents the assumptions and objectives behind the system dynamic model and discusses the outcomes of different scenarios. As such it builds a narrative and visualization based on the mathematics in the model, which is useful for systems thinking. It is also in this combination of narrative and visualization, but with the mathematics hidden, that the book open itself to critique. The narrative clearly illustrates what systems thinking might be about and indicates possible connection between features in a complex system.

Point of Strength
This chapter can be very useful to illustrate systems thinking and the dealing with complexity. When used together with some of the existing critical articles or book chapters it would provide students with a good foundation for how discussions on systems may turn out.