"Why?"... indeed. It is about time for some intelligent attempts at sustainable natural resource management. Can southern Oregon set an example?

Southern Oregon Coast Mixing Nature, Tradition and Economics for a Sustainable Future http://www.triplepundit.com/2010/10/southern-oreg...

Ocean Mountain Ranch – A Model for Sustainable Land Development

Located along a 1000’ ridgetop in the headwaters of the Port Orford Community Stewardship Area, Ocean Mountain Ranch (OMR) overlooks the entire proposed marine reserve and the largest remaining old growth forest on the southern coast in Humbug Mountain State Park. OMR is planned to be developed pursuant to a forest stewardship management plan which has been approved by the Oregon Department of Forestry... OMR will provide for long-term yield of high-quality hardwood, softwood, and wildlife habitat and is planned to provide a model for exemplary organic forestry/grazing operation incorporating residential, agricultural, educational, recreational, and industrial activities. OMR is also serving as a pilot program and is expected to achieve certification as a SLDI-Certified Sustainable Project.

Working in conjunction with Sustainable Land Development International (SLDI), OMR has put together a plan to meet the community’s environmental, social, and economic needs while adhering to Oregon LCDC guidelines and Curry County zoning regulations. Working within the structures outlined by the various government agencies, OMR plans to seek approval from Curry County officials for a consolidated application containing a mixture of permitted and conditional forestry-grazing zoning uses to provide an exemplary demonstration project which will:

* Promote and educate landowners about sustainable forestry practices
* Provide a forestry consulting resource to woodland owners
* Link local wood producers to emerging markets
* Facilitate community-based forestry projects
* Explore woody biomass utilization opportunities
* Promote and assist in fire fuels reduction efforts
* Assist landowners in exploring opportunities in ecosystem services (carbon credits, conservation easements, etc).

It is OMR’s wish to work in tandem with the Port Orford Community Stewardship Area in its quest to establish and protect the proposed marine reserve, and it is the ongoing quest of SLDI and OMR to continue to foster collaborative work that will promote communal, ecological and economical sustainability as the primary principles of a “people, planet and profit” land development philosophy.

Sustainable Land Development Initiative http://www.triplepundit.com/2011/08/sustainable-d...

Bryan, Thanks for expanding on the differences above. I think that I will read Hamilton's book to see exactly how he differentiates himself from Lovelock. I share your mixed feelings about Lovelock's somewhat contemptuous but nevertheless compelling position, as stated in my article "Nature Bats Last. We are Part of Nature Too..." (http://www.sldtonline.com/content/view/509/). However, my nagging concern is that Lovelock may indeed be right about the real reason that our current civilization will ultimately collapse - we just don't seem to have the collective will to implement the necessary short term changes to avoid the inevitable long term consequences of our actions.

Bryan,

I haven't read the book yet but from your fine review above it seems as though author Clive Hamilton has reached a conclusion similar to the one that James Lovelock has in his latest Gaia books - It is now too late for sustainable development and therefore we must focus on "sustainable retreat."

I suppose a possible difference is that Lovelock would argue that since our species will survive in much lower numbers, Hamilton's book title should have been "Requiem for Modern Civilization."

Either way, it is a shame for those of us who believe that Buckminster Fuller was right when he said, "Technologically, humanity now has the opportunity, for the first time in history, to operate our planet in such a manner as to accommodate all humanity at a substantially more advanced standard of living than any humans have ever experienced."

Terry Mock
Executive Director
Sustainable Land Development International
http://www.sldi.org/newService/SLDIJune2009.html

Full disclosure for economic sustainability...

Land Developers and Sustainable Economics
October 2008
http://www.sldi.org/newService/SLDIOct2008.html

As previously forecast in this column, a series of financial “Black Swans” is now upon us. These major disruptive events, which by definition were unpredicted by the establishment experts, now include the failures of Bear Stearns, Lehman Brothers, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, AIG, Merrill Lynch, Wachovia, and Washington Mutual, with more surprises undoubtedly on the way.

While there have been numerous authorities working day and night to solve the problem, it is important to note that these same people were the ones that were managing the financial system in the first place... This brings to mind some words of wisdom from Albert Einstein - “We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them”...

Terry Mock
Executive Director
Sustainable Land Development International - www.SLDI.org