Any statement on economic growth should EXPLICITLY refer to human population and population growth in the SAME statement.
FAILURE to mention the problem of human population growth as THE driver of economic growth (as witnessed in the prolix, potential E.S.A. policy statement circulated on this list the other day) will render the statement otiose and near-useless. Your message itself reads somewhat like insipid bureaucratic waffle. Surely, from fundamental ecological canons, the premise of exponential, infinite (economic) growth against a base of finite resources is simply impossible? What more scientifically and ecologically can there be left to cogitate over in your multifarious committees? Can an outsider (i.e. non-ESA member) and amateur ecologist (i.e. non-professional) such as myself possibly divine in your email that the real reasons for E.S.A. foot-dragging on this important issue are actually more of a political and sociological flavour, and the wish to avoid "controversy"? -----Original Message----- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Nadine Lymn Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2008 4:02 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re ESA and Economic Growth Statement Dear Ecologers, There have been several postings over the last months urging the Ecological Society of America to consider issuing a position statement on economic growth. In addition, a group of ecologists submitted a request to the Governing Board in August, followed by additional letters of interest supporting such a statement. The ESA Governing Board is taking this interest seriously and has asked the Society's Public Affairs Committee to oversee the development of a position statement for its consideration and review. This process is underway and there will be an opportunity for interested members to offer feedback to the proposed statement. In addition, the Public Affairs Office has been collecting the many letters that have already come in offering views on this topic. As with all the Society's position statements, ESA takes very seriously the task of producing documents that are carefully reviewed and appropriately reflect the underlying science and the Ecological Society of America. We will notify this list when a draft is available for comment and appreciate the interest in this topic. Nadine Lymn ESA Director of Public Affairs
