The reductionism and materialism of the Cartesian method are also, directly and indirectly, at the root of many of our environmental and social breakdowns.  The one-dimensional and progressively narrowing focus of scientific investigation, social action and policy making have increasingly led us away from the holistic perspective needed to manage ourselves and our resources in a sustainable manner.  Hence the backlash:  the growing recognition of the need to bring back multi-disciplinary, trans-sectoral, integral approaches into research, action and policy.