Environmental Decisionmaking

Problem Set #5:

1) (5 pts) Explain Nordhaus's critique of Beyond the Limits in your own words.

2) (5 pts) How do you think Meadows et al. would respond to this critique?

3) (10 pts) Now, you are an all-powerful policy maker. You have read Beyond the Limits and Lethal Model II, and you have to decide what to do. Should we invest a large fraction of our income in trying to figure out a way to move towards a "sustainable society"? Should we continue on our present course with only minor corrective measures? Discuss how you would approach the issues, and your reasons behind your points. Given the gulf between the two worldviews (economic vs. ecological), is there a way to bridge the gulf without simply "splitting the difference?" Try to use facts and academic arguments from the sources (or outside sources that you may be familiar with), rather than simply personal opinions, though obviously your opinions will inform your response.