Science and Policy for a Sustainable Future
The 5th bi-annual conference of the United States Society for Ecological Economics (USSEE) was held at American University in Washington DC from May 31st to June 3rd 2009. The conference theme, “Science and Policy for a Sustainable Future” reflected an intent to move the debate from scientific discoveries and analysis to practical solutions and viable policies. Conference participants came from academia, the non-profit sector and the public sector with the goal of promoting collaborations between the private, public and non-profit sector to advance sustainability.
The range of topics the conference addressed included energy and alternative energy, sustainable development, environment both human and non-human, climate change, biodiversity, water, ecosystems, and green chemistry. These topics are of paramount importance for the formulation of policies by a new U.S. administration and other governing bodies at the national, state and regional levels. This USSEE conference “Science and Policy for a Sustainable Future” this offered a unique opportunity to present cutting edge research about ecological economics, assess the relevance of ecological economic principles, determine the viability and relevance of ecological economics insights and principles for policy analysis, and to help shape specific policies. Abstracts and final presentations from the conference can be viewed on the Presentations page.
The location of the conference in Washington D.C. encouraged productive interchange between academics, NGOs, and government policymakers; presentations were given by participants from the US EPA, USDA Forest Service, US Geological Survey, Office of the US Trade Representative, The World Bank Environment Department, World Bank Carbon Finance Unit, The Union of Concerned Scientists, The Wilderness Society, and Conservation International, among others.
About USSEE
The USSEE is one of ten regional professional organizations with the International Society for Ecological Economics (ISEE) forming the world wide umbrella organization. All ecological economics societies hold professional meetings that serve as a forum for exchanging information, presenting cutting edge research results and advancing practical solutions toward an ecologically sustainable and economically viable future.
Ecological Economics is the science of sustainability. It brings together academics and practitioners from a variety of science and social science disciplines including biology, ecology, chemistry, computer science, economics, management, sociology and philosophy.
The common goal of ecological economists is to improve theoretical models and practical approaches to achieve long term economic and social well-being without undermining the absorptive, regenerative and resource capacity of the natural environment.
We particularly wish to reach out to ecological, economic, and other professional societies as well as appropriate NGOs.
We also welcome partnering with organizations that share the interests and vision of USSEE for a sustainable future.