Do we have a future? sustainability: science, technology and ethics

Roger Kitching & Ian Lowe
21st April 2001
Auditorium, 111 George Street, Brisbane

This topic was discussed by Professor Roger Kitching and Professor Ian Lowe (now Emeritus and an AO), of Griffith University.

“ The sheer wealth of species with which we share the globe is only now becoming evident – estimates in the order of many millions. Many species will become extinct before we can study their actual or potential value to us. Further, a large number of species maintain the health of the ecosystems on which we as humans depend for our well-being, So, for our mutual benefit, we must allow them to live alongside of us. Currently, we are far from this goal.” Roger Kitching.

“ Living sustainably is essential for our future survival. It will involve arranging our activities so that they do not deny opportunities to future generations. This will require a better understanding of the natural world and of our effects on it. It will also require improved technology to meet our material needs in ways that will be less wasteful and less damaging. Most fundamentally, it will require a new ethical framework for our choices.” Ian Lowe.