A Necessary Revolution Energy, Ecology, and Economy in a Post-Carbon North Country Bill Vitek Clarkson University June 22, 2005

What’s a Philosopher To Do? Provide Perspective Provide Perspective Ask Unpleasant Questions Ask Unpleasant Questions Expand/Contract Boundaries Expand/Contract Boundaries Encourage Awareness of the Larger Goals of all of our Good Work: Encourage Awareness of the Larger Goals of all of our Good Work: A Viable Economy and Social Justice A Viable Economy and Social Justice Healthy and Productive Ecosystems Healthy and Productive Ecosystems Civic Engagement Civic Engagement Post-Carbon Energy Supplies Post-Carbon Energy Supplies

Ours is an Enthusiasm Fueled by Failure A Failed Mental Model A Failed Mental Model Nature as Source and Sink Nature as Source and Sink Human Mind/Knowledge as Sufficient Human Mind/Knowledge as Sufficient Human Concerns First and Foremost Human Concerns First and Foremost Transgression of Limits: Transgression of Limits: Science Science Agriculture Agriculture Economics Economics

The Gist The “Oikos” is teetering: The “Oikos” is teetering: Species Species Climate Climate Pollutants Pollutants Energy Energy Human Population Human Population Clogged Sinks and Limited Sources Clogged Sinks and Limited Sources Social Unrest/Population Migrations Social Unrest/Population Migrations

Changing Our Minds/et New Conceptual Models New Conceptual Models New/Old Standards New/Old Standards Renew Respect for Boundaries Renew Respect for Boundaries Do More With Less Do More With Less Create Models that deal with the problems we have now Create Models that deal with the problems we have now

Setting Boundaries Energy: Get the Carbon Out Energy: Get the Carbon Out Regional: Defining the North Country Regional: Defining the North Country Ethical: Do Less Harm Ethical: Do Less Harm Consumption Consumption

Sustainability The Three E’s The Three E’s Environmental Protection Environmental Protection Economic Viability Economic Viability Equity and Social Justice Equity and Social Justice Triple Bottom Line Triple Bottom Line Let Nature Set the Standards Let Nature Set the Standards

Sustainability Sustainability is a strategy for living well in a world that is alive, interconnected, and crowded ; and that is constrained by ethics, ignorance, and the net primary production of ecosystems. Sustainability is a strategy for living well in a world that is alive, interconnected, and crowded ; and that is constrained by ethics, ignorance, and the net primary production of ecosystems.

Biofuel Boundaries for a Sustainable North Country Regional Regional Ecosystem Ecosystem Economic Economic Aesthetic Aesthetic Scientific/Technological Scientific/Technological Social Justice Social Justice Political Political

Central Challenges These are no longer separate problems These are no longer separate problems Demand will be greater than supply Demand will be greater than supply We are still entangled with the old model We are still entangled with the old model Perspective is not our strongest trait Perspective is not our strongest trait We are provisioning a transition to a post-carbon world that must balance its ecological books We are provisioning a transition to a post-carbon world that must balance its ecological books

Principles for Our Regional Experiment Regions are Real Regions are Real The Well is more important than the Pump: Respecting Ecosystem Boundaries The Well is more important than the Pump: Respecting Ecosystem Boundaries Precaution: Ignorance is our Strong Suit Precaution: Ignorance is our Strong Suit Biofuels as Means, not Ends Biofuels as Means, not Ends Limit/Eliminate Social and Ecological Externalities: Pollution, Low Wages Limit/Eliminate Social and Ecological Externalities: Pollution, Low Wages

Principles for Our Regional Experiment Create and Abide by a Regional Authority Create and Abide by a Regional Authority Experiment with Alternative Political Models Experiment with Alternative Political Models Set Quantitative Quality of Life Goals Set Quantitative Quality of Life Goals Integrate Social/Ecological Considerations Now, Not Later Integrate Social/Ecological Considerations Now, Not Later No Net Loss of Wild Lands No Net Loss of Wild Lands Biofuels are a Bridge not a Destination Biofuels are a Bridge not a Destination Beyond the Rock is a Hard Place Beyond the Rock is a Hard Place

The Challenge The race for resources has already begun The race for resources has already begun Barricading has already begun Barricading has already begun The reconceptualization of all the systems has already begun The reconceptualization of all the systems has already begun What can this region become in the midst of, and beyond, the Post- Carbon transition? What can this region become in the midst of, and beyond, the Post- Carbon transition?

A Necessary Revolution A shared mental model A shared mental model Life after carbon pools: puddle jumping Life after carbon pools: puddle jumping Liberty without consumption Liberty without consumption Rebuilding citizenship/social capital Rebuilding citizenship/social capital Studying the exits Studying the exits Constraining technological solutions Constraining technological solutions Formulating and embracing a land ethic Formulating and embracing a land ethic Informing and tempering enthusiasm Informing and tempering enthusiasm

The most meaningful work that we can do is to “Build receptivity into the still unlovely human mind”* Beginning with our own….. *Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac