A possible organization of "techno-environmental" educators

[renewable energy]

This message is primarily for those members of the group that are
faculty, but anyone may wish to respond.

I am unaware of any organization of college/university level educators
that has an orientation as described below, which I would characterize
as much more “middle-of-the-road” than all the ones I am familiar
with. I wonder what your thoughts are on promoting such an
organization, and on the specific tenets listed below?

1. TECHNOLOGY
Technological solutions to our energy-environmental problems are
possible and necessary. We cannot go back to some idyllic pre-
technology world, given the present level of population and a society
dependent on technology.

2. ECONOMICS
Any solutions to our environmental and energy problems will involve
trade-offs that weigh both environmental and economic factors.
Solutions that are technically feasible, but would come at a very high
cost are just as undesirable as those which are inexpensive but
environmentally ruinous.

3. POPULATION
Much of our environmental problem stems from the size of the world
population. Efforts to limit population growth through non-compulsory
means, such as birth control, and the education of women in developing
nations should be supported..

4. CLIMATE CHANGE
Human-caused climate change due mainly to emissions from fossil fuels
is almost certainly occurring, and could prove extremely detrimental
over time

5. TIPPING POINTS
It remains uncertain as to whether there are specific “tipping points
“ in the climate system having specific values, such as 1 or 2 C that
could lead to irreversible climate change, therefore statements about
the need to limit emissions of CO2 & other GHG’s to specific values on
any specific timetable are without a scientific foundation

6. GEOENGINEERING
Although the first line of defense should be controlling GHG
emissions, geoengineering measures should be thoroughly investigated,
in case this proves to be our only way to mitigate severe impacts of
climate change.

7. FOSSIL FUELS
The world must wean itself of dependence on fossil fuels over time,
but we must also acknowledge that not all fossil fuels are equally
damaging, and that natural gas can be a useful “bridge fuel” in the
coming years.

8. NUCLEAR POWER
The dangers of nuclear power must be put in perspective and judged on
the same scale as we evaluate other risks. On this basis, nuclear
power is a far smaller threat to the environment and to human health
than coal-fired electricity generation. Although prudent measures
need to be taken to minimize its risks, nuclear power can play a
useful role in our future energy mix, depending on its economics.

9. EDUCATION
It is vital that more post-secondary students become versed in issues
of energy and the environment. It is also important that courses and
programs in this area have a technical and pragmatic orientation, and
not be merely vehicles for promoting faculty members policy
preferences on climate change, nuclear pow