Cassandra/Cornucopian Debate

摘要: The Cassandra/Cornucopian debate is one of many names given to an argument between two extreme positions on the prospects for human society and environment in face population economic growth. So-called Cassandras contend that unchecked growth numbers people material consumption rates will inevitably lead environmental social catastrophe. Cornucopians believe ingenuity free markets allow species adapt any conceivable pressures caused by enterprise. originated at least as far back Malthus eighteenth century, flared up with special intensity late 1960s 1970s over issue exhaustible natural resources, continues more subdued form today reflected global change. While both sides can claim have been right some cases, they also wrong others—most conspicuously several dire forecasts made Cassandras. Despite lack a definitive resolution, offers lessons importance multiple perspectives need making transparent assumptions uncertainties analyses complex issues.