So then you

So rather than course charting, what we can do is to plant seeds of new systems that offer the prospect of being compatible with sustainability ... those that took root and became part of a sustainable system were the right seed, but the information required to select with any precision will only be created in the course of events, and so is not available to us now.

agree with Gaianne's conclusion

That does not mean I advocate doing nothing.  I am looking for things that are robust--that that will hold up against a great deal of mischief.  There is no theory for this, though I do suspect those who recommend imitating the natural world closely have the right idea.  

even if you disagree with her analysis...

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes