Following on from chapter 3, this chapter introduces Elemental Theory – the fundamental scheme of nature that existed before the Enlightenment and to which, it could be argued, we should return.

The elements – fire, air, water and earth, are then used to consider the issues of sustainability linked to energy production (fire and air) and resources utilisation (water and earth).

 This chapter gives examples of where strategies from other regions and periods might be employed profitably to enable a more sustainable future