Redesigning Evolution

In this letter published in Science, Amory Lovins responds to an editorial by Roger Beachy promoting the benefits of genetically modified foods. In his response, Lovins argues that there are negative ecological implications of genetically modified food and that it amounts to redesigning evolution. Lovins also argues that the FDA and EPA do not do an adequate job regulating these crops and resulting foods. This document includes a rebuke of Beachy's editorial by the Council for Responsible Genetics and a response from Beachy.

Graduation Test for the Species

Of all of the technologies invented in the last century, Amory Lovins considers biotechnology to be one of the most dangerous and destructive. In this commentary in The Washington Times, Lovins argues against the manipulation of genes for human purposes. Rather than understanding how nature works, technology is being used to change what nature is. Lovins argues against this fundamental approach to human's relationship with nature. He claims that, like nuclear power, genetic manipulation does has not benefited us enough to justify its potentially adverse affects.

Saving Forests From the Demand Side

"Saving Forests From the Demand Side" is a presentation given by Amory Lovins to the World Resource Institute. In the presentation, Lovins argues that efficiency and substitution in all forest-product value chains profitably displace most cutting of forests while providing the same services. Efficiency improvements can be made along the entire value chain, from eliminating junk mail to decreasing the number of pallets used for saving wood fiber. The purpose of this presentation is to describe why forests should be saved and how by taking specific actions along all parts of the value chain.

Tale of Two Botanies

In this paper given at the World Botanical Congress in 1999, Amory Lovins and L. Hunter Lovins describe their concept of the "two botanies." The first botany has been shapped by billions of years of evolution. The second botany comes from recent advances in genetic engineering. Modifications in genetic make-up contradict whole systems by "isolating complex wholes to simple parts." Transgenetic manipulation is worrisome for many reasons. The writers argue that we are incapable of understanding the consequences of these significant manipulations that have been developing for so long. They advocate for seeing "beyond molecules and genes to plants, and beyond plants to ecosystems." They argue that it is the botanist's responsibility to help us understand the biology and biotechnology.

Insurmountable Opportunities: Steps and Barriers to Implementing Sustainable Development

L. Hunter Lovins and Walter Link presented this paper to the 2001 UN Regional Roundtable for Europe and North America. In it, the authors outline the steps that need to be taken to implement sustainable development and what barriers stand in the way of those changes. They argue that the biggest challenge facing sustainable development is the loss of the natural ecosystem. The new globalization and continued industrialization of the planet present further challenges. Climate problems, water shortages, the environmentally caused spread of disease, genetic technology, and quickly growing populations are other significant challenges that need to be addressed by sustainability efforts. The authors present five steps to sustainability that will slow the coming crisis: implementing natural capitalism, reinventing governance, micro-lending, improved education and communication systems, and adoption of the precautionary principle.