The article by C. S. Holling discusses the complexity of economic, ecological, and social systems, emphasizing the need for an integrative theory that can help understand and manage sustainability. Holling introduces the concept of "panarchy," which describes the interaction between hierarchies and adaptive cycles in ecosystems and social-ecological systems. Panarchy highlights the balance between creativity and conservation, where systems can innovate and experiment while maintaining stability. Sustainability is defined as the capacity to create, test, and maintain adaptive capability, while development is the process of creating and maintaining opportunity. Together, they form the concept of sustainable development, which is not an oxymoron but a logical partnership. The article also addresses the complexity of systems, noting that it can be viewed in two ways: one as a lack of understanding due to numerous interacting elements, and another as the result of a smaller number of controlling processes that self-organize. Holling argues that there is a necessary level of simplicity behind complexity, which can be communicated clearly and rigorously. The goal is to develop a theory that is as simple as possible but not simpler, rooted in empirical reality and communicated through metaphor and example. The article outlines an integrative theory developed through the "Resilience Project," which aimed to create a framework for understanding and managing complex systems. This theory emphasizes the importance of dynamic, prescriptive models that embrace uncertainty and unpredictability. The framework must be simple, dynamic, and capable of assessing internal and external factors that influence systemic sustainability. The goal is to provide a clear and practical understanding of complex systems that can inform policy and management decisions.The article by C. S. Holling discusses the complexity of economic, ecological, and social systems, emphasizing the need for an integrative theory that can help understand and manage sustainability. Holling introduces the concept of "panarchy," which describes the interaction between hierarchies and adaptive cycles in ecosystems and social-ecological systems. Panarchy highlights the balance between creativity and conservation, where systems can innovate and experiment while maintaining stability. Sustainability is defined as the capacity to create, test, and maintain adaptive capability, while development is the process of creating and maintaining opportunity. Together, they form the concept of sustainable development, which is not an oxymoron but a logical partnership. The article also addresses the complexity of systems, noting that it can be viewed in two ways: one as a lack of understanding due to numerous interacting elements, and another as the result of a smaller number of controlling processes that self-organize. Holling argues that there is a necessary level of simplicity behind complexity, which can be communicated clearly and rigorously. The goal is to develop a theory that is as simple as possible but not simpler, rooted in empirical reality and communicated through metaphor and example. The article outlines an integrative theory developed through the "Resilience Project," which aimed to create a framework for understanding and managing complex systems. This theory emphasizes the importance of dynamic, prescriptive models that embrace uncertainty and unpredictability. The framework must be simple, dynamic, and capable of assessing internal and external factors that influence systemic sustainability. The goal is to provide a clear and practical understanding of complex systems that can inform policy and management decisions.