Discussion of natural resource depletion has been widespread for over four decades, yet there still seems to be little consensus on what to do about it. Some argue that small is beautiful and that we should all consume less. Others believe that we need to think more ambitiously and that the only limit to resources is our imagination. How do we as the geoscientists engage with these highly differing positions? Is the demand for natural resources exceeding what the Earth can produce? If so, what can we do about it? As our knowledge grows, does our ability to act and solve problems grow with it?
If the geosciences community understands the intimate interactions between for example water, energy and food supply, a view expressed recently in terms of the water, food and energy nexus, we should be able to make a real contribution to joined-up thinking in the way that resources are managed. So, how can we ensure that our understanding influences management practices? Can we identify underlying approaches to apply to problems? Can we solve current problems without compromising the requirements of the future?