Carnegie Council Focuses on Sustainability: The Population Debate, Michael Bloomberg, the View from China, Essay Contest, and More

NEW YORK, Oct. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For the third year running, the Carnegie Council declared September to be Sustainability Month. The online activities kicked off with three forums on different aspects of sustainability. These discussions feature a wide range of contributors, from philosopher Ronald Sandler, to writer and advocate on population issues Laurie Mazur, to author and activist Bill McKibben.

Online resources also include a special profile of leader New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, chosen for his global and local leadership on environmental issues; an essay on what sustainability means to China, by Shanghai-based sustainability expert Rich Brubaker; a two-minute video from the Carnegie Council's Evan O'Neil on the proposed Keystone XL pipeline; and our third annual teacher/student essay competition. 

For all these resources, go to http://www.carnegiecouncil.org/resources/picks/0030.html

SUSTAINABILITY FORUMS

1)  What are the Limitations and Benefits of the Sustainability Approach?
Is sustainability the only, or even the most desirable framework for environmental issues? What are the limitations and benefits of the sustainability approach, and what kind of alternative conceptual approaches may be preferable? What do you think?

What Do We Mean by Sustainability?
J. Baird Callicott, University of North Texas

In Defense of "Sustainability"
Ronald Sandler, Northeastern University

Using Sustainability to Tell Stories
Dale Jamieson and Christopher Schlottmann, New York University

From Sustainability to a New Materialism
David Schlosberg, University of Sydney

2) The Population and Sustainability Debate
According to UN projections, our world will be home to more than 9 billion people by 2050, increasing competition for livable space and critical resources such as water. What ethical standards should guide the debate about reproduction and sustainability? What do you think?

A Non-Growing Population Is Necessary for True Sustainability
Robert Engelman, WorldWatch Institute

Family Planning Can Succeed Even in Very Traditional Societies
John Bongaarts, the Population Council; and population expert Steven Sinding

Women's Rights Are Key
Laurie Mazur, author and advocate on population and reproductive health and rights issues

Millions of Poor Women are Still Waiting to Reap the Benefits of Cairo
Barbara Crossette, journalist and author

Population Alarmism Is Dangerous
Betsy Hartman, the Population and Development Program

(See also additional responses from Lisa Hymas, Grist cofounder; and Mara Hvistendahl, writer and journalist)

3) What Individuals Can Do
What is the most important thing a person can do to have a sustainable impact? From consumer purchases to political action, how should we prioritize solutions?

As Individuals We'll Lose
Bill McKibben, environmental author and activist

Get Out Your Electric Bill, Then Get Out and Vote
David Biello, Scientific American

Individual Responsibility Is a Trick Question
Josh Lasky, University of the District of Columbia

Understanding the Expanded Self
Mat McDermott, treehugger.com

Start Building a Transition Ark
Christopher Mims, technology, environment, and science writer

Tap the Power of Local Motion
Paul Steely White, Transportation Alternatives

What You Measure Is what You Desire
Eric Zencey, novelist, essayist, and political economist

SPECIAL PROFILE

Sustainability Leader Michael Bloomberg

Nicholas Platt, Carnegie Council
As part of our September Sustainability Month, the Carnegie Council honors Mayor Michael Bloomberg for his values-based vision and environmental leadership—both local and global.

ARTICLE

Sustainability in China: More than Winning a Cleantech War

Richard Brubaker, Collective Responsibility, Shanghai
While the global sustainability discussion is focused on carbon emissions, the Chinese people will continue working on problems that are tangible for them, such as health and safety.

GLOBAL ETHICS CORNER (TWO-MINUTE MULTI-MEDIA)

The Keystone XL Oil Pipeline and the National Interest
Evan O'Neil, Carnegie Council
A proposed Canadian pipeline would transport bitumen from the tar sands of Alberta to refineries on the Gulf Coast, crossing the border. Is Keystone XL in the national interest? Is secure access to oil worth the climate change consequences?

THIRD ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY CONTEST 

Student/Teacher International Essay Contest "Making a Difference:" Deadline December 31, 2011
What does sustainability mean to you—in your own life, in your local community, and in the greater world? Do you see conflicts of interest between these spheres? (1,000-1,500 words, "op-ed" style)

The Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs (www.carnegiecouncil.org), established in 1914 by Andrew Carnegie, is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing understanding of the relationship between ethics and international affairs.

SOURCE Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs