Legendary physics professor Al Bartlett was quick to tell us "smart growth" and "dumb growth" both lead to the same undesirable end; "smart growth" just takes you there in style. Bartlett worked on the Manhattan Project with Robert Oppenheimer early in his career, but went on to spend six decades teaching at the University of Colorado in Boulder. We present this interview in observance of the anniversary of his death, September 7, 2013. Bartlett was best known for his lecture on exponential growth, which he delivered nearly 2,000 times, around the world. He also penned Laws Relating to Sustainability. The first law: "Population growth and / or growth in the rates of consumption of resources cannot be sustained." The physicist campaigned tirelessly for honest acknowledgement of limits to growth – both globally and in Boulder. Sit down with the professor for a lesson in sustainability. This interview was recorded in Al Bartlett's office in the Fall of 2005. This is the second episode in the new series, Conversation Earth. It is available free to radio stations to broadcast and stream. Learn more at www.conversationearth.org Photo Credit: Jim Richardson
