Conversations with History - James Gustave Speth

Capitalism, the Environment, and Crossing from Crisis to Sustainability

James Gustave Speth, Dean of the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University

Recorded April 2, 2008

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Yale Professor James Gustav Speth for a discussion of his career in the environmental movement. Professor Speth traces his changing perspective on the appropriate response to the environmental crisis. Concluding that only a radical transformation of capitalism will save the planet for future generations, he outlines the changes in consciousness and in the political agenda that will be required.

http://globetrotter.berkeley.edu/conversations/

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Education

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• ucberkeley
• university
• california
• berkeley
• environment
• yt:quality=high

[bushmanollie]

I have read “Bridge” and consider it to be a very valuable contribution. I recommend looking into Buckminster Fuller’s concept of at Ten Year Design Science Revolution. The only way of continuing economic growth without destroying nature is via a total revolution in use of technology while weaning ourselves off atomic and fossil fuel energy and embrace solar, in all its manifestations.

[AllibasterButtButt]

Dr. B is god tier

[imapiece]

mr. Bellisario is so hawt like omg

[gmeine1]

James, I think there is alot of value in Bridge. I haven't yet read Red Sky.

I think alot of your ideas may parallel another very smart man Peter Joseph. Check him out.

[mcsas]

James, I read Red Sky, and I will read Bridge. I like your work but you have something in common with other commentators and writers of the environment, you're afraid to use words and phrases that will adequately describe what will happen to humanity. You say catastrophe, and tragedy, when you should say: kill, dead neighbor shooting neighbor, rotting corpses. These terms will scare us and our understanding of GW will migrate from our intellects to our gut. Let us feel the terror so we will act.

[jspen2]

Professor Speth is saying things I feel we all need to pay very close attention to. Our single minded pursuit of economic expansion is really hurting the planet and ourselves. People of all religious and philosophical persuasions can surely agree that economic gain should not be our soul concern. I'm particularly impressed with his concept of "communities of shared fate" forming powerful political alliances.