Scottish Affairs, no.6, winter 1994 JOURNEY TO THE HEBRIDES

Human ecology studies the ecology of our species: some would say the inter-relationships between population, resources, environment and development. The Centre for Human Ecology at the University of Edinburgh was established in 1972 by the then Principal of the University and an influential group of futuristic thinkers. Some of these, most notably the Centre's first director, Professor C H Waddington, had been involved in commissioning the Club of Rome's seminal 'Limits to Growth ' report. This drew attention to the planetary dangers of escalating growth in consumption and population. It laid the foundations for today's debate about sustainable and socially equitable development, which is the primary focus of our research and teaching. Seen as a lighthouse of transformation by some and a den of subversion by others, the Centre has struggled on negligible resources over the past twenty-one years to raise awareness of socio-environmental problems and point to possible ways forward. It is consulted by environmentalists, industrialists, religious leaders, community workers, civil servants and politicians of all hues. The 1990s have seen a fresh affirmation of the Centre's role within the University. A recent report paraphrases the Senior Vice-Principal as saying: 'The Centre for Human Ecology today finds itself at the hub, its "alternative" views no longer peripheral, but at the core of common concern for the environment and the University's integrated approach which leads the way for others in higher education.' Alastair McIntosh has been financial advisor to the South Pacific Appropriate Technology Foundation, business advisor to the Iona Community, and initiator of the Pacific Regional Sustainable Forestiy Programme, before joining the Centre for Human Ecology four years ago to become its Development and MSc Course Director