Richard Melson

July 2005

Ecological Economics

http://www.ecoeco.org

To promote understanding between economists and

ecologists in the development of a sustainable world

Questions concerning membership, dues, journal subscriptions
and other administrative matters should be directed to:

Heide Scheiter-Rohland
Burk and Associates, Inc.
1313 Dolley Madison Blvd. Suite 402
McLean, Virginia 22101 USA

Phone: (703) 790-1745
Fax: (703) 790-2672

E-mail: iseemembership@burkinc.com

Questions concerning the submission of articles,
or articles already submitted, to the journal should be directed to:

Managing Editor:

Teresa Perrier Center for Energy and Environmental Studies, Boston University 675 Commonwealth University Boston, MA 02215, USA

Email: tperrier@bu.edu

The International Society for Ecological Economists (ISEE)

facilitates understanding between economists and ecologists and the integration of their thinking into a trans-discipline aimed at developing a sustainable world. The following are some of the broad areas and particular questions of ongoing research and discussion in ecological economics:

Modelling:

How can we better integrate economic and ecological models to address management of local biodiversity, an ocean fishery, or the climate services of the global atmosphere?

Equity:

How does equity between individual people, nations,

and over generations relate to sustainability?

Indicators:

Can we redirect development by augmenting traditional indicators such as GDP (gross domestic product) with biophysical indicators such as ecological footprint and social indicators such as the education of women?

Limits:

What properties of ecological and social systems act as "limits" to development and to what extent can human-produced capital substitute for natural capital?

Trade &
Development:

How do current policies to promote development through capital mobility affect the control of natural resources, the ability of nations to manage environmental systems, and the distribution of well-being?

Valuation:

To what extent can we measure the value of non-market services provided by ecosystems and how can we promote public discourse on environmental and social values that significantly enriches economic measures?

Policy
Instruments:

How should systems of tradable environmental permits and obligations, combined with environmental tax reform, be implemented?

A cross-disciplinary approach is necessary because conflicting perspectives in economics and ecology have led to economic and environmental policies that are mutually destructive, rather than reinforcing and sustainable.

The Society promotes understanding between ecologists and economists and integration of their disciplines through a journal, Ecological Economics, other publications, a biennial international conference, occasional smaller workshops, and support of the activities of regional societies of ecological economics.

While still young and growing, the Society has had an active history.

The management Secretariat of the journal is located outside of Washington, D.C., and the Editorial Office is in Boston.

A small coordinating and communications Secretariat resides with whomever is the current President.

The International Society for Ecological Economists (ISEE)

ISEE:

Charles Perrings, ISEE President

Environment Department,
University of York,
Heslington, York
United Kingdom
YO10 5DD

Phone: +44(0) 1904 434777
Fax: +44 (0)1904 432998

E-mail: cap8@york.ac.uk

July 20, 2005