In recent years, an old debate involving economists, historians and political scientists has emerged with new vigour. It is commonly accepted that the Industrial Revolution began in England, spurring unprecedented economic growth and development activity. Over time, the benefits of these fundamental changes, explained by theorists like Adam Smith, accrued to other nations, first in Europe, then in North America and eventually in parts of Asia. But as some places grew wealthy and strong, others languished. Africa, Latin America, and much of Asia were in many ways bypassed by the new wealth and growth that blossomed around them. And even within these newly rich (or increasingly rich) regions and countries, some communities were strangely left behind, economic backwaters in the midst of robust growth.

Submitted to the 2004 Shell Economist Prize Competition

A question such as, "Do we need Nature?" leads me to contemplate which components of life's sustaining machinery we could possibly live without. As I ponder this over, Nature herself fills my lungs. She processes and sorts nutrients taken in from the air, and sends them through my veins so that my thoughts may take shape.

"I enjoyed this essay very much and found the final paragraph to be one of the most thought-provoking, powerful quotes on the subject I have ever seen." ~ Julie Steward-Pollack ASID, IDEC (Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design), Author of 'The Need for Nature: Why nature should serve as a model for built environments' Part I and Part II (Interiors and Sources Magazine, Sept. & Oct. '96)

On February 15, 2006 the Provincial Ministry of Energy held a meeting in St. Catharines, for the purpose of gathering public feedback to the provincial power stategy, "Our Energy, Our Future". This was the presentaton from Bernie Slepkov, the Founder of Sustainable Niagara, made to Donna Cansfield, the Ontario Energy Minister, and her moderators.

I am speaking to [the] issue [of Ontario's Power Strategy] as the Founder of Sustainable Niagara, Inc., an organization whose main intent is to inspire and participate in developing regional social and economic sustainability.

The suddenly urgent global quest for sustainability challenges people in every municipality, and region to see and begin to create their world anew. Focusing in on our current needs for healthy, vibrant and productive communities could renew Niagara's dwindling prosperity. Sustainability's arduous legacies however, will be found in committing our intergenerational responsibility toward ensuring that future generations will have the ability to meet their basic needs.

Prepared for the Conference Board of Canada & Toronto Dominion Canadian Standard of Living Forum slated for October, 2002

Fear of change and conventional thinking enchain us to obsolescence. Meanwhile, the accumulative effects of the combined swift pace, and the chaotic complexity of societal change upon billions of lives are becoming the matters of international urgency. And that was so even before 9/11 or this July's World Wildlife Fund (WWF) study which brings into question, not our quality of life, but life itself, 50 years from now!