Join us for a discussion of a provocative and cutting-edge idea:
At 7:30 on Monday evening, October 20, Brian Czech will speak at ASAP's
open monthly meeting about *"An Economy for Our Grandchildren:
Prosperity, Not Growth." * The presentation, and the discussion
afterwards, will explore the need for a transition to a steady state
economy (rather than the current system premised on endless economic
growth) if we are serious about environmental protection, ecological
sustainability and national security. **
Dr. Czech is president of the D.C.-based non-profit Center for the
Advancement of the Steady State Economy (learn more about CASSE at
http://www.steadystate.org/Index.html). A conservation ecologist by
training, he now builds on this background to focus on economic issues,
especially macroeconomic policy. He teaches ecological economics and
endangered species policy at Virginia Tech University, and is author of
/Shoveling Fuel for a Runaway Train
<http://www.steadystate.org/CASSEShovelingFuel.html>,/ calling for an
end to reckless economic growth.
As Dr. Czech has written for The Encyclopedia of Earth:
The phrase "steady state economy" originated from ecological economics,
most notably the work of Herman Daly
<http://www.eoearth.org/article/Daly%2C_Herman_E.>, but its roots are in
classical economics, most notably the "stationary state" as touted by
John Stuart Mill. The steady state economy is often discussed in the
context of economic growth
<http://www.eoearth.org/article/Economic_growth> and the impacts of
economic growth on ecological integrity, environmental protection, and
economic sustainability... Economic growth is an increase in the
production and consumption of goods and services. For distinct economic
or political units, economic growth is generally indicated by increasing
gross domestic product (GDP). Economic growth entails increasing
population times per capita consumption, higher throughput of materials
and energy, and a growing ecological footprint
<http://www.eoearth.org/article/Ecological_footprint>. Economic growth
is distinguished from "economic development," which refers to
qualitative change independent of quantitative growth. For example,
economic development may refer to the attainment of a more equitable
distribution of wealth, or a sectoral readjustment reflecting the
evolution of consumer preference or newer technology.
ASAP recognizes our organization's focus (i.e., identifying and
maintaining a stationary population size at an optimal sustainable size)
and CASSE's focus (a steady state economy) as two sides of the same coin.
If you are interested in learning how prosperity and a stable population
can go hand-in-hand, *please join us at 7:30 Monday evening, Oct. 20*,*
in the library of Westminster Presbyterian Church*, 190 Rugby Rd.
Charlottesville, VA. All are welcome to participate in this free
session. (*Note that unlike most ASAP monthly meetings, this one is on
Monday evening, not Thursday.) *Parking is available in the lot behind
the church. Questions? Contact Elizabeth at 974-4582.
