Yorker magazine.
THIS GREEN EARTH
John Cassidy's critique of continual economic growth brings welcome
attention to a grave concern of many environmental scientists ("Steady
State," February 10th). He nicely describes the alternative economic
approach referred to as "green growth," which some people believe will
allow us to "enjoy perpetual growth and prosperity while also reducing
carbon emissions and our consumption of natural resources." Unfortunately,
it seems that green-growth enthusiasts have drunk a more diluted batch of
the same Kool-Aid as people who think that conventional growth can go on
indefinitely. Perhaps economic growth can be decoupled from carbon
emissions, but we still need to deal with invasive species,
desertification, and other insults to natural ecosystems. Clever new
technologies can help, but efficiency gains are finite and can be
overwhelmed when these technologies are scaled up. A longer-term solution
may require the slowing, and the eventual reversal, of population growth,
combined with a decrease in average individual consumption in richer
countries. The latter change will require resisting common marketing
tactics. But, once many of us do so, we will suffer less financial stress
and will have more time for relationships, leisure and other delights.
After forty years as an ecologist, I believe that the transition to a less
materialistic world would be a cakewalk compared with living on a planet
with too little photosynthesis.
Peter C. Schulze
Professor of Biology and
Environmental Science
Austin College
Sherman, Texas
I thank Professor Schulze for expressing so well what has been on my mind
for years, ever since as a child living in Long Island, New York, I heard
about the garbage scows going out from New York City to dump garbage in the
ocean. I'm 73 now and the continued disrespect for the earth and the
potential for catastrophic backlash continue to sadden and anger me.
Our city lies in ashes, its reputation as a destination for the young and
upwardly mobile gone after nights of violence and destruction. It's time
to think about a kinder, gentler city. We have tremendous problems to
solve here. It is time to deal with these obvious problems......the
suffering of the chronically homeless, the failing public schools where the
future should be nurtured, the out of control police department that has
shattered so many lives. We have the resources, smarts and altruism. Now
we need a truly representative government. Power to the people.
Janet Nye
Phillips