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People need livelihoods, but society is hurt by emphasis on increased depleting and polluting, and de-emphasis on protecting and restoring nature.
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Regarding employment in trades, those concerned (entrepreneurs, policy makers, and students and seekers of employment) are urged to heavily emphasize employment in fields such as organic farming (for local customers), nature restoration, construction of ecovillages (especially in inner city locations for people of diverse income levels), and bicycle manufacturing and repair; and to de-emphasize liquidating fields such as road construction and timber.
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Regarding employment in general, to make significant progress toward sustainability many individuals really must take charge of their destinies. Taking charge can even mean starting a business.
Before the right job can be found or created, conventional employment might be necessary that somehow lends to progress toward employment in an environmentally appropriate field. This progress can include having employment that allows for 1) the time and energy (during and/or outside of work) to prepare for the preferred job, 2) saving money to prepare for a job in an appropriate field (e.g., education, moving, costs of starting a business), and 3) gaining needed skills.
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The Civilian Conservation Corps started by Franklin Roosevelt’s administration of the USA is admirable for providing not just a job but also meaningful employment in environmental restoration and conservation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civilian_Conservation_Corps
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Distance Education and On-Campus graduate course in Ecological Economics taught by Gary Lynne (http://agecon.unl.edu/lynne/teaching.htm) at the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (USA). http://agecon.unl.edu/lynne/ecolecon/ecoleconsyllabus.htm
Earth Conservation Corps. ECC’s structure or framework can be mimicked for integration of
ecological economics into the employment and education of youths and young adults, including
minorities. http://www.ecc1.org/
Ecological Economics: A Workbook for Problem-Based Learning. Joshua Farley, Jon D. Erickson, & Herman E. Daly (2005). Washington, DC: Island Press. One project mentioned is the reforestation of some ranches. The local benefits are improved prevention of floods and drought, better water quality, and higher returns to ranchers, at a price that is cheaper than repairing flood damage. Moreover, the global benefits reflect a financial gain of one hundred fold ($2000 per hectare) over that of the ranchers’ income from the lowest paying land ($20 per hectare). http://www.islandpress.org/books/detail.html/SKU/1-55963-313-1
Ecological Economics: Principles and Applications. Herman E. Daly & Joshua Farley (2004). Washington, DC: Island Press. http://www.islandpress.org/books/detail.html/SKU/1-55963-312-3
Hope’s Horizon: Three Visions for Healing the American Land. Chip Ward (2004). Washington, DC: Island Press. The visions seem compatible with ecological economics. The section on wastes from nuclear energy weaves in opposition to environmental racism. Some passages poignantly explore being mindful about nature. http://islandpress.org/books/detail.html/SKU/1-55963-977-6
Interview with Dr. Brian Czech: Education and Career Guidance in Ecological Economics. Websites of Center for the Advancement of the Steady State Economy and EnvironmentalPrograms.net http://www.environmentalprograms.net/guidance/brian-czech/
Kids In Bloom, Inc. Engages youths with nature. Indianapolis, IN, (317) 290-6996, kidsnbloom@juno.com
Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. Richard Louv (2005). Chapel Hill, NC: Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill. If we are going to achieve sustainability, humanity must be well connected with nature. This book is recommended to all concerned about education, special education, health and sustainability. http://www.algonquin.com/search/?searchvalue=louv
Lessons for grades k-12, and Ecological Footprint Quiz. Integrate the k-12 material with information on the Earth’s carrying capacity, which can include the Ecological Footprint Quiz. http://www.redefiningprogress.org/education/index.shtml
New Games. These games emphasize cooperation and can help engage people with nature. http://www.inewgames.com/
National Association of Service and Conservation Corps. http://www.nascc.org/
Numerous links on education, research and employment in ecological economics. International Society for Ecological Economics’ website http://www.ecoeco.org/search/Site_Map.htm
U.S. Programs in Ecological Economics. United States Society for Ecological Economics’ website
http://www.ussee.org/education/
Visions, Values, Valuation, and the Need for an Ecological Economics. Robert Costanza (2001). BioScience, 51 (6), 459-468. This article can be useful for many, especially educators of all levels and content areas, including economics, philosophy, literature, psychology, anthropology, environmental policy, agriculture, urban planning, engineering, design, technology and biology. http://www.uvm.edu/giee/SNR_seminar/Readings/Costanza_2001_Bioscience.pdf
Contact Information Please feel free to contact us at our post office box in Indianapolis or via email
Campaign for Sustainable Economics
% Greg Buck
537 Fletcher Avenue #2
Indianapolis, Indiana 46203