"CRASH COURSE" in Ecological Economics

What exactly is Ecological Economics? How does it differ from mainstream economics, and what does it aim to accomplish in today's world? Similar to a "crash course", this video was created for the purpose of addressing these questions in a direct and comprehensive manner, as well as to highlight the principles that lie at the root of Jon Erickson's research, teaching, and outreach activities. In short, Ecological Economics is a transdisciplinary approach to economic, social, and environmental problem solving. "Transdisciplinary" implies a problem-orientation that draws from a diverse web of knowledge traditionally categorized into the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. "Ecological Economics," explains Erickson, "draws on each perspective, addressing complex problems and building shared understanding that enable solutions that are sustainable, equitable, and efficient." Jon Erickson's current professional activities include being president-elect of the U.S. Society for Ecological Economics, and at The University of Vermont, he is a professor of Ecological Economics as well as the Managing Director of the Gund Institute for Ecological Economics. Erickson serves on the faculty for both the Environmental Studies program and the Rubenstein School of Environment & Natural Resources program at UVM. This video is a production of the Gund Institute for Ecological Economics, an affiliate of the Rubenstein School for Environment & Natural Resources at the University of Vermont. The Gund Institute is a transdisciplinary research, teaching, and service organization focused on developing integrative solutions to society's most pressing problems. We conduct integrative research and service-learning projects on a broad range of topics, offer hands-on learning through our problem-solving workshops and courses, develop online teaching resources and international collaborations through metacourses, and support professional and graduate education through our Graduate Certificates in Ecological Economics and Ecological Design. Learn more about the Gund community of students, scholars and practitioners by exploring our news, publications, and video archives, then contact us to help us build a sustainable, widely shared quality of life. Vermont 2009-2011 For more information, please visit Jon Erickson's Website: http://www.uvm.edu/~jdericks/ and The Gund Insitutes's Website: http://www.uvm.edu/giee/