News about Advancing the Steady State Economy
City Gets Serious about Addressing Growth
August 8, 2008 - The city of Bloomington, Indiana has issued a press release about the position its Environmental Commission adopted regarding economic growth. The city has also produced a report on the costs of residential growth.
Technical Reasons for the Conflict between Growth and Environment Explained
August 4, 2008 - In an article in the Oceanside Star, CASSE's Neil Dawe clarifies how the laws of physics nullify the notion of unending economic growth. He also explains how the market pricing mechanism cannot efficiently allocate natural resources and the ecological services they provide.
Symposium on Economic Growth Strikes a Chord
July 15, 2008 - CASSE participated in a symposium on economic growth at the annual meeting of the Society for Conservation Biology. Presenters included Brian Czech (president), Mansi Grover (research director), and Rob Dietz (executive director). The well-attended symposium consisted of six presentations and sparked a lively discussion about the effects of economic growth on biodiversity conservation. A news crew from the meeting venue (Chattanooga) interviewed Brian and Rob about ecological economics and the environmental impacts of a new auto factory.
CASSE Australian Director Receives National Award
June 6, 2008 - Geoff Mosley, CASSE's Director of Australian Operations, won a prestigious World Environment Day Award from the United Nations Association of Australia. His award displayed the inscription "To whom nothing is impossible," an attitude highly valued by CASSE. Congratulations to Geoff.
Conference Adopts a Declaration to "Right-Size" the Economy
May 30, 2008 - The Conference on Economic Degrowth for Ecological Sustainability and Social Equity (held in Paris April 18-19, 2008) adopted a declaration calling for economic "right-sizing." The declaration makes a strong case for aligning economic activity with ecological capacity.
Letter to the Editor in the Washington Post Questions the Unquestionable
May 30, 2008 - Poking fun at the "sonorous snoring of supine economists," Herman Daly questions economic growth in a letter to the editor.
Herman Daly Proposes Policies for the Steady State Economy
May 5, 2008 - Herman Daly, the leading expert on ecological economics, describes conditions and policies necessary for a steady state economy in a paper for the UK Sustainable Development Commission. The paper, posted on The Oil Drum, is an outstanding resource for societies considering the transition away from uneconomic growth.
New York Times Points out the Limits to Growth
April 21, 2008 - Princeton economist and New York Times columnist, Robert Krugman, asks in this article, "Will limited supplies of natural resources pose an obstacle to future world economic growth?"
Director of CASSE's Canadian Operations Writes Honestly about Sustainability
CASSE Authors Guest Post on The Oil Drum
March 28, 2008 - CASSE is spreading the word about the steady state economy at the premier site for discussions about energy and the future. This post on The Oil Drum explores the relationship between Peak Oil and economic growth.
Wall Street Journal Explores Limits to Growth
March 24, 2008 - Now that's progress. A Wall Street Journal column reports on the idea that we can't sustain increasing populations and increasing consumption of resources.
Scientific American Exposes Fallacies in Neoclassical Economics
March 17, 2008 - Interdisciplinary professor of environmental science, Robert Nadeau, explains how neoclassical economists developed premises based on discarded theories from the field of physics. His article in Scientific American reveals some serious flaws in current economic theory.
U.S. Senate Conducts Hearing on GDP, Questions Usefulness as Economic Indicator
March 12, 2008 - Congress is finally formally deliberating the nature of GDP - what it does and does not measure - with an eye toward environmental
implications. Paul Trumbull sums up the arguments in this column.
CASSE Director Interviewed in Sustainability Section of Outdoor-Themed Magazine
March 10, 2008 - In Out There Monthly, an outdoors-themed magazine in the inland Northwest, Juliet Sinisterra writes about the steady state economy. The article features highlights of an interview with Rob Dietz, CASSE executive director.
Ecological Economist Explains Quality of Life in the U.S. Economy
March 10, 2008 - Robert Costanza, ecological economist at the University of Vermont, penned a column in the Los Angeles Times discussing the nature of our 30-year-old recession in quality of life.
Steady State Economy Hits the Newsstand
February 19, 2008 - Articles about the steady state economy and the notion of limits to growth have appeared in the Independent Weekly and Harper's Magazine. The article in the Independent Weekly profiles Professor Phil Lawn and explores better ways of measuring economic success. Steven Stoll's article in Harper's discusses the inevitability of the end of growth and takes an optimistic view (akin to CASSE) of how societies can make the transition.
Monbiot Attacks Economic Growth
January 29, 2008 - Sustainability journalist George Monbiot went on the offensive in a column about the dangers of economic growth. Although his article downplays the role of population growth (with some slippery math), he called economic growth an immediate and overwhelming threat.
Canadian Naturalists Take a Position
January 29, 2008 - An article published in the Parksville Qualicum Beach News highlights the conflict between economic growth and conservation efforts in British Columbia, Canada. The Arrowsmith Naturalists, a conservation organization, adopted the CASSE position on economic growth, proclaiming, "This came about because a number of ecological groups have recognized the demand for permanent economic growth is eliminating biodiversity and ecosystems."
Legislator Calls for a Steady State Economy
January 16, 2008 - Senator Fred Hemmings, in an insightful speech to open the Haiwaiian legislative session, addressed the problems associated with unchecked growth. He stated, "If we are to achieve a steady state economy with selected growth and measured consumption of our most valuable resource -- land -- we need action now. We all must rethink how we operate and make small adjustments in addition to expediting the big changes such as making fossil fuels obsolete within ten years."
Herman Daly Talks Economic Growth and Climate Change
November 13, 2007 - In a stirring and eloquent speech to the American Meteorological Society, Herman Daly pointed out the link between economic growth and climate change. In his continuing efforts to inform the public about uneconomic growth, Daly makes a strong case for ecological tax reform.
Donations Enable CASSE to Hire Executive Director
November 1, 2007 - Thanks to the donations of many generous individuals, CASSE was able to hire Rob Dietz as its first executive director. Rob's focus in the coming year will be on increasing CASSE's ability to communicate ideas about the steady state economy and securing long-term funding for the organization. In interviews and discussions, Rob has been delivering the message that the public is ready for a change from "business as usual" growth economics.
Resolution on Economic Growth Adopted by American Society of Mammalogists
June 9, 2007 - At the 86th Meeting of the American Society of Mammalogists (ASM), the ASM adopted a resolution on the relationship of economic growth to mammal conservation. The resolution was brought before the general membership by James H. Brown, Distinguished Professor of Biology at the University of New Mexico and a past president of the ASM. With approximately 300 members present, the resolution was passed with one dissenting vote. In the ASM Resolution on Economic Growth, the ASM "recognizes that there is a fundamental conflict between economic growth and the conservation of ecosystems, mammalian populations, and species" and proposes the steady state economy as a sustainable alternative to economic growth.
British Columbia Field Ornithologists Adopt Position on Economic Growth
May 26, 2007 - At its Annual General Meeting in Lillooet, the British Columbia Field Ornithologists (BCFO) adopted a position on economic growth. Led by Neil Dawe, certified professional biologist and president of the Qualicum Institute, the BCFO used the CASSE position on economic growth as a starting point and concluded that "A steady state economy is a viable, sustainable alternative to a growing economy and has become a more appropriate goal, particularly in the larger, wealthier economies of North America."
"Beyond Schumacher" Conference Adopts Position on Economic Growth
Earth Policy Institute Adopts Economic Growth as Measure of Environmental Pressure
Candidate for California Secretary of State Advocates Steady State Economy
August 17, 2006 - California proves once again to be a bellwether state in American politics. Dr. Forrest Hill, Candidate for California Secretary of State, advocates the establishment of a steady state economy. Hill is a rare combination of scientist, political activist, and financial advisor serving those committed to socially responsible investment. In an interview with the California Chronicle, Hill states, “It is essential for citizens to understand that creating a sustainable society necessarily requires a shift away from a growth economy to a steady state economy where the aggregate throughput of natural resourses is within the limits of the ecosystem.”
U.S. Congress Begins Connecting Economic Growth to Global Warming and Sea-Level Rise
May 3, 2006 - Mrs. Donna Christensen, Delegate from the Virgin Islands, introduced H. CON. RES. 398, a resolution to the Committee on Resources in the U.S. House of Representatives which noted, among other things, that “global warming and related aspects of climate change are caused by the emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases due to industrial processes and fossil fuel combustion associated with the process of economic growth.” The resolution marks one of the first actions in Congress that explicitly links economic growth to environmental threats since the second sentence of the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
Radio Interview Highlights Steady State Economy
December 19, 2005, Global Public Media - Jason Bradford, host of "The Party's Over" on KZYX-FM in Mendocino, CA, talks to Brian Czech, President of the Center for the Advancement of the Steady State Economy and author of "Shoveling Fuel for a Runaway Train." Connect to the interview. 37 minutes.
Worldwatch Institute Identifies Economic Growth as Global Threat
May 12, 2005 - For decades, the Worldwatch Institute has warned publics and policy makers about threats to the global environment. Perhaps to avoid the political perils, the Institute had not pointed explicitly to economic growth as the underlying problem. That has changed with Vital Signs 2005, which describes how “the world is producing – and consuming – more food, material goods and natural resources than ever before,” straining Earth's vital signs.
CASSE Speaking Engagements
2008
August 16, "Economic Growth and Biodiversity Conservation in the Strait of Georgia: Getting Beyond the Conflict," Neil Dawe, Haig-Brown Symposium on Sustaining Wild Salmon: Moving from Worlds to Action, Simon Fraser University, Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada.
July 19, "Steady State Economies and Recession: The Same or Different?" Dan O'Neill, Green Economics Conference, Green Economics Institute, Oxford, United Kingdom.
July 15, "The Relationship between Economic Growth and Biodiversity Conservation: A Historical Review of the Ecological Economics Perspective," Rob Dietz, Society for Conservation Biology, Symposium on Economic Growth and Biodiversity Conservation, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
July 15, "Prospects for Reconciling the Conflict between Economic Growth and Biodiversity Conservation Via Technological Progress.," Brian Czech, Society for Conservation Biology, Symposium on Economic Growth and Biodiversity Conservation, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
June 3, "Ecological Macroeconomics and Political Economy of Biodiversity Conservation," Brian Czech via video, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management's conference “Moving to an Ecological Economy,” London, England, United Kingdom.
May 15, "Changing the Paradigm: The Transition from Uneconomic Growth to Sustainability," Rob Dietz, Sierra Club Office, 2950 SE Stark St, Suite 110, Portland, Oregon.
April 19, "De-Growth Toward an Optimal Steady State," Brian Czech, Conference on Economic De-Growth for Ecological Sustainability and Social Equity, Paris, France.
April 18, " Nascent History of Steady State Politics," Brian Czech, Conference on Economic De-Growth for Ecological Sustainability and Social Equity, Paris, France.
March 3, "Prospects for Reconciling the Conflict between Economic Growth and Biodiversity Conservation Via Technological Progress," Brian Czech, Wildlife Science Seminar, Boeing Auditorium - Executive Education Center 110, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
March 1, "The Steady State Economy and Its Relationship to Wildlife Conservation," Rob Dietz, Pacific Seabird Group Annual Meeting, Blaine, Washington.
March 1, "Economic Growth and Wildlife Conservation: a Fundamental Conflict," Brian Czech, Pacific Seabird Group Annual Meeting, Blaine, Washington.
2007
March 13, "Economic Development, Economic Growth, and the Environment: Calling for Ecologically Economic Leadership," Brian Czech, Guest lecture, Wisconsin Rural Leadership Forum, Washington, DC.
April 17, "Humans in the Economy of Nature, Including a Special Role for Wildlife Professionals," Brian Czech, Keynote address, Alaska Chapter of The Wildlife Society Annual Conference and 12th Northern Furbearer Conference, Juneau, Alaska.
April 16, "Good Growing Gone Bad: Uneconomic Growth, Environmental Protection, and National Security," Brian Czech, Guest lecture, University of Alaska Southeast, Juneau, Alaska.
September 4, "The Fundamental Conflict Between Economic Growth and Ecological Integrity: Implications for Public Policy," Brian Czech, American Fisheries Society Annual Conference, San Francisco, California.
September 26, "The Steady State Economy: Development Versus Growth," Brian Czech, The Wildlife Society Annual Conference, Tucson, Arizona.
2006
February 11, "Economic Growth and Fish Conservation: Theoretical and Empirical Considerations," Stephen M. Coghlan. Southern Division, American Fisheries Society, San Antonio, Texas.
February 25, "The Relationship of Economic Growth to Wildlife Conservation and Environmental Sustainability," Tracy Rittenhouse, Southeast Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, Andalusia, Alabama.
March 1, "Economic Growth, Natural Resource Conservation, and Ecological Sustainability," Brian Czech, Keynote Address, First Minnesota Natural Resources Conference, Brainerd, Minnesota.
April 20, "The Mounting Conflict Between Economic Growth and Environmental Protection, and the Role of International Diplomacy in Establishing an American Steady State Economy," Brian Czech, Earth Week Keynote Address, University of Tennessee – Martin.
May 22-25, "Ecological Economics, Environmental Protection, and International Diplomacy for Steady State Economies," Brian Czech, Series of Guest Lectures, National Forestry University, Lviv, Ukraine.
June 27, "A Comparative Assessment of Biodiversity Conservation on Four Federal Lands Systems in the United States," Brian Czech, Society for Conservation Biology Annual Conference, San Jose, California.
September 12, "Fish Conservation, Economic Growth, and the End of Cheap Fossil Fuels," Brian Czech, American Fisheries Society Annual Conference, Lake Placid, New York.
September 18, "The Steady State Economy for Environmental Protection, National Security, and International Stability," Brian Czech, Sowell Lecture Series, Hollins University, Roanoke, Virginia.
September 26, "The Relevance of the Steady State Economy after Peak Oil," Brian Czech, Invited Presentation, The Wildlife Society Annual Conference, Anchorage, Alaska.
October 28, "The Role of the American Fisheries Society in Addressing the Conflict Between Economic Growth and Fish Conservation," Brian Czech, Keynote Address, Auburn University Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Auburn, Alabama.
December 12,"Beyond Schumacher: Alternatives Approaches to Economics and Sustainability Perspectives for the 21st Century," Panel Discussion with Kala Saravanamuth, Apichai Puntasen, and Brian Czech, moderated by Alex Kaufman, Ubon Ratchathani University, Thailand.
December 16, "Economic Growth and Environmental Conservation – Conflict or Concord?," Panel Discussion with Vandana Shiva, James Kahn, Brian Czech, and Alex Rivas, moderated by Robert Richardson, International Society for Ecological Economics Biannual Conference, Delhi, India.
