Fourth meeting

Discussion of your current interests and possible topics for your assignment.

Clearifying expectations

Everyone gets to take a turn to discuss their specific interests and the whole group attempts to facilitate finding a topic for this person

If you still need inspiration for a topic check out the topics listed on the first meeting page and consider the following literature:

From the International Society for Ecological Economics' Internet Encyclopaedia of Ecological Economics:

Sustainability and Sustainable Development

by Jonathan M. Harris February 2003

Volker: This is a dense but fairly short document that elaborates on the material I presented in the first lecture, i.e. the basics of the sustainability issue.

Transition to Sustainability

by the Internation Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) 2008

Volker: A much longer and fairly comprehensive look at sustainability issues, written for easy reading but over 100 pages. Could be good for browsing.

Reports from the Millenium Ecosystem Assessment (generally 2005)

Volker: There is an incredible wealth of information in these reports but you will need some time to find what you want. Don't be intimidated, though. These reports are well written and designed for easy browsing. So you can just glance over the headings and dive into the chapters that grab your attentention. Obviously, these reports are more strongly geared toward the natural side of environmental resources than the abiotic side. Results are summarized in the synthesis reports, while the "Global & Multiscale Assessment Reports" contain the full methodology.