Sustainability Revolution? Genesis

When reading an excerpt from the book Sustainability Revolution: Portrait of a paradigm shift by A.R. Edwards I was intrigugued by the idea that the author thought we were in a Sustainability Revolution. He talks about the criteria for a social revolution to include having a genesis, a critical mass and diffusion.
For the first part, the genesis, it could be be defined in this context as a catalyst for significant change. For example, the industrial revolution was initiated when precious metals were brought back to Europe from the New World. This stimulated industrial development, accelerated trade and a new money economy. This showed the potential for a better way of life and an evolution in the existing value systems and consciousness. As a revolution, industrialization was an overwhelming idea that initially persuaded people to join and inevitably forced them to change. In contrast, the perceived genesis for the sustainability movement within the context of this book was a 1972 UN Conference on the Human Environment. This conference introduced the concepts of sustainability and later the 1987 Brundtland Report defined sustainable development. However I do not think the genesis (as defined by the author) has been an effective catalyst for change. It has failed to create a pervasive and permanent shift in conscious and world view. Ultimately it has failed to inspire society to give up the way of life created by the industrial revolution. It does not provide the necessary incentives for society to change and does not give a sense of urgency. The industrial revolution was able to prove tangible benefits for society to change while the sustainability revolution seems to be percieved by society as a reduction in benefits.