Video Interview of Leading Ecological Economist

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This is a link to a video interview of William Rees who is one of the pioneers in ecological economics. He points out that there are around 4 acres per capita of land to serve the needs of the world's population. Rich nation's consumption, like that of the US, requires around 20 acres per capita. If China reached the level of US consumption, together they would require 125% of the earth's capacity to provide the necessary resources.

Expanding global income creates a big problem. Higher income is correlated with higher consumption. Every nation is committed to growth in GDP and growth in national income. The expansion of the means to consume is greater than the capacity of the planet to provide the resources, and sink functions to support growth. Money grows faster than the things that money can purchase.

There is little incentive to adapt new technologies. Those who benefit from things as they are have the resources to influence public opinion and the means to purchase the support of elected officials. He believes that some nation must take the lead and show the rest of the world what can be done to deal with the problems of a finite planet and an infinite desire to consume.