Issue 2000
Interviews

William Rees: Ecological Footprints

Published October 23, 2006

Abstract

Bill Rees is a nice fellow with a strong message - if the world cannot safely expand its way to sustainability we will have to discover other ways of relieving the material impoverishment of half of humanity. A bioecologist by training and former Director of the University of British Columbia's School of Community and Regional Planning (1994-1999), Dr. Rees' combines teaching and research on public policy and the planning implications of global environmental trends, with public speaking on behalf of the ecosphere and the common good. He is best known for his work on the 'ecological footprint' - an analytical tool for measuring a community's energy and material consumption. Mike Gismondi spoke with Bill Rees at the Parkland Institute Conference: "Building a Post-Corporate Society: A How to Guide for Citizens" in Edmonton, November 2000