To the editor:

Reflecting on the Aug. 20 Town Talk on “growth”: In the 21st century perhaps it’s time to reconsider the notion of growth and what that means. Does growth mean increasing the population to achieve economic benefits, or can growth be accomplished by other creative economic endeavors?

Growth in population is finite. How do future generations manage population, resource availability and achieve sustainability if we continue to emphasize human growth to achieve these ends? Do we cannibalize other community populations to continue this practice? I believe our future depends on stabilizing the U.S. and world population, reducing our consumption of resources, and advanced scientific research and technology that can stimulate the economy and address climate change. Achieving these ends requires creative and innovative thinking, not continuing to repeat an outdated economic playbook. The U.S. has been to the moon and back. Surely we have the intelligence to work toward economic solutions that will help us achieve sustainability and prosperity in the future.

Candice Davis,

Lawrence