We're walking into a crisis of immense proportions, because of the triple whammy of climate change, biodiversity collapse and the loss of cultural heritage - the things that sustain us and make us who we are. We.re told the only thing that matters is economic growth, even though we all know - and demonstrate - that there is more to life than money. Yet we seem to be on a treadmill, where only the material things in life gain traction and it.s getting harder to gain purchase for the things that matter but money can.t buy - including our future...Part One of this book proposes a radical and simple solution . to inspire us through beauty: the beauty of the world around us. Part Two shows, through chapters on landscape, nature, history, trees, farming and urbanization how ideas about beauty have evolved over time, shaped and been shaped by public policy, been knocked back and inched forward, and where they stand in the current, economically-driven spirit of today. Part Three makes the case for change, and proposes some big solutions. as time is running out. Beauty is an idea whose time has come. Far from being only skin deep, it may be the source of our salvation.