Sustainable development needs to start from the ground up, not just from global policies. The book focuses on ways to make progress towards sustainability at the local level. It discusses what sustainable development is, the institutions needed for change, and economic policies for managing natural resources sustainably. The book also looks at specific sectors like agriculture, urban development, and energy use. It emphasizes the importance of local people managing their environments and resources. The key message is that sustainable development requires the involvement and resourcefulness of those directly affected, and policies should empower them to control their own futures.