Sustainability 101:  Exponential Growth - Arithmetic, Population and Energy (Full - Updated)
Channel: SustainableGuidance
Date: 2011-06-01

Dr. Albert Bartlett discusses the implications of unending growth on economies, population, and resources.  Presented at UBC on 5/19/2011.

This compelling lecture is easy to pay attention to and gives a basic introduction to the arithmetic of steady growth, including an explanation of the concept of doubling time. He explains the impact of unending steady growth on population.  He then examines the consequences steady growth in a finite environment and observes this growth as applied to fossil fuel consumption, the lifetimes of which are much shorter than the optimistic figures most often quoted.

He proceeds to examine oddly reassuring statements from "experts", the media and political leaders - statements that are dramatically inconsistent with the facts. He discusses the widespread worship of economic growth and population growth in western society. Professor Bartlett explains "sustainability" in the context of the First Law of Sustainability:

"You cannot sustain population growth and / or growth in the rates of consumption of resources.

This 1708th presentation of this matierial by Dr. Bartlett brings the listener to understand and appreciate the implications of unending growth on a finite planet, and closes noting the crucial need for education on this topic.

Professor Bartlett has given this celebrated one-hour lecture beginning in September, 1969, to audiences with an average attendance of 80 in the United States and world-wide. His audiences have ranged from junior high school and college students to corporate executives and scientists, and to congressional staffs.  For more information, see http://www.AlBartlett.org .

Updated content begins around 40 minutes in.