Session 3 Study questions (27 Sept)

Here are study questions provided by Bob Kates, the speaker for Session 3.  Please consider them as you do the reading.  You are welcome to use them as well as points of departure for your posted comments.  (My apologies for the late posting.  Dr. Kates submitted these earlier.  I dropped the ball in posting them.  Bill Clark)

1. The Reading uses Deevey’s three phases of population growth over time and these are made possible by technology (stone, agriculture, industrial-scientific) expanding the capacity of the earth to support the growth. Is a fourth phase of population growth likely or possible in the future and what would its enabling technology be?

2. The Reading (Table 2.4) does not see a transition from continuing growth in consumption. Do you see a need for such a transition and how would it take place?

3. The Reading describes a set of trends and likely transition for key sectors of population, human development, consumption, and natural capital, but does not offer a sustainability transition.  Do you forsee a sustainability transition, and if so, from what and to what, would constitute its changes?