I believe the challenge is much deeper than developing science-based solutions to protect people and the planet - we need to domesticate existing solutions to the peculiar situations at grassroot level and hear stories of how sustainably they are using these.
For instance,to show principles of agroecology to my Applied Ecology class in the Masters in Environment Programe, we visited a farmer 400km away. This maize and tobacco farmer (with only primary school education) has livestock and poultry; produces over 5 tonnes of fertilizer from the animal and crop refuse annually: applies it once in 3 years; uses biogas for domestic fuel and is willing to supply neighbours who can buy and have pipes installed from the plant to their homes. The students were amazed at all this since it showed the immense opportunity and resources right at our doorsteps