I don't think anybody here is a real expert on ecology -- I hope that I am
wrong. I think that we have made demands on the environment that go well
beyond sustainability. I assume that there is general agreement there.
I assume that we some mix of 3 possibilities ahead of us.
1. Superior technology to the rescue. I am skeptical about how far we
can go with that one. But there are some things we can do. Sprawl, for
example, is a major culprit, but to fight it requires a tremendous
political will. You can make the cities more liveable -- but that
probably means chasing the poor out.
2. Do with less -- meaning horrible fights over who gets what -- sure to
bring out the worst in all of us. Patrick B. has reminded us of the
standard market solution: price the poor out of the market.
3. Let things go to hell.
Since none of us have all the answers, we should at least be tolerant of
those who make suggestions, and make our own suggestions without
arrogance.
--
Michael Perelman
Economics Department
California State University
Chico, CA 95929
Tel. 530-898-5321
E-Mail [EMAIL PROTECTED]
