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Noted ecological economist to speak at WVU March 29
A leading figure in the world of ecological economics, will speak Tuesday, March 29, at 3:30 p.m. in 316 Percival Hall on West Virginia University’s Evansdale Campus.
Brian Czech, president of the Center for the Advancement of the Steady State Economy, will lecture on “Why Is Economic Growth a Threat?” His talk, which will outline the concept of a steady state economy, is free and open to the public.
“Laws of physics, principles of ecology and our own common sense tell us that nothing grows forever,” Czech said. “Economic sustainability, national security and international stability require the establishment of a steady state economy with stabilized population and per capita consumption. In a steady state economy, society focuses on goals more noble than economic growth.”
Czech’s visit is sponsored by the Division of Forestry in WVU’s Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences and the division’s Graduate Student Association.
Aaron Proctor, president of the Graduate Student Association and a master’s candidate in wildlife science, said the organization chose Czech “because he takes a very gutsy and different approach than most environmentalists who work to help the environment, but fail to reach as many as he has. His work is gaining movement, and we decided that we’d like to hear his message and discuss his talk in some of our subsequent graduate classes where steady state economics has been briefly discussed before.
“The topic of steady state economics has gotten attention recently among natural resource professionals, with such professional organizations as The Wildlife Society adopting varying versions of statements regarding economic growth as a main detriment to our natural resources and loss of biodiversity,” Proctor added.
For additional information, contact Proctor at 304-293-2941 ext. 2314 or aproctor@mix.wvu.edu.
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