link: http://www.hydropole.ch/Hydropole/DB/Silent_Lie.pdf
This essay was written by Professor of Physics Emeritus Albert A. Bartlett of the University of Colorado at Boulder and published in Physics Today in 2004. Bartlett argued that professional physicists have an obligation to use their professional expertise to shape the public debate and understanding of the unsustainability of modern society due to the intrinsically- related phenomena of human population growth and economic growth. Because influential academics have a history of promoting endless growth, Bartlett argues, to remain silent by academics who know otherwise is to assent to misinformation and allow the public to be manipulated into harmful policies by government. I believe that Bartlett's recommendations run parallel to the work Dr. Brian Czech is doing in promoting position statements by professional societies within the professional communities of ecologists, wildlife biologists and managers, fisheries biologists, etc. But the taking of position statements is only a first step. I hope that the "silent lie" is drowned out by an increasing chorus of science-based fact and professional opinion, but that chorus seems overdue. The pressure on essentially all ecosystems is very heavy and getting worse... Stan Moore San Geronimo, CA [EMAIL PROTECTED] _________________________________________________________________ Get a preview of Live Earth, the hottest event this summer - only on MSN http://liveearth.msn.com?source=msntaglineliveearthhm
