CRC Press (an imprint of the Taylor and Francis Publishing Group), a large publisher with representatives in over 100 countries, has asked me to create and shepherd a series of books on global issues. I have chosen "Social-Environmental Sustainability." My purpose in accepting the publisher's request and in writing to you now is to find potential authors who have the foresight, courage, and will to raise their voices on behalf of the world's children by elevating the level of social consciousness of the causes we set in motion and thereby improving the consequences or effects for all generations—present and future. For me personally, this series of books is my way of leaving this magnificent plant spinning miraculously in space a little better for the privilege of having been here.

If we want a world of true social-environmental quality to live in, we must change our materialistic values and habits—and be persistent in that change. We must reach beyond where we feel safe and dare to move ahead, despite the fact that perfect knowledge will always elude us.

There are no biological short cuts, technological quick fixes, or political hype embodied in our current symptomatic thinking that can mend what is broken. Dramatic, fundamental change in the form of systemic thinking is necessary if we are really concerned with bettering our quality of life—even that of next year.

Social-Environmental Sustainability is a series of books designed to examine our human-caused, global problems in terms of nature's biophysical support systems and to propose sustainable solutions that will move society toward an ecologically sound environment and a socially just culture. Each book in this series has been thoughtfully selected to add a new dimension to the resolution of our problems—not just repackage old ideas. In this sense, each book comprises part of a roadmap of where to go and what to do when people are at last forced to accept the changes they have fought against for so long.

If you have an idea for a potential book, one you feel committed to create for the betterment of our world-or know someone who does, please CONTACT ME. We can then discuss your idea to see whether it will fit within the attached series description. If so, I will send you the book proposal format. Your chosen book project must have a clearly sustainable environmental component because the series is designed specifically to demonstrate the reciprocal relationships between society and its environment. A book on purely social issues will not fit in this series. I look forward to hearing from you.

Chris Maser, Series Editor