EDITORIAL

 EcoEng Newsletter 1/1999

Are you an Ecological Engineer?

• Are you an engineer trying to optimize or rebuild natural or constructed ecosystems for human needs?
• Are you an ecologist trying to figure out how ecosystems could be utilized sustainably?
• Or are you trying to apply ecological principles such as "recycling", "self design" or "self regulation" to your field?

If you answer one of these questions with yes, then you might fit into the Ecological Engineering community... or at least have a good reason to read this newsletter!

However, it soon turned out that wetlands have their flaws, too. For example, they are not really efficient recycling devices. The first "source reduction" approaches were born and developed into "source separating" toilets. Can someone developing a new toilet design (for urine separation) or an ingenious biogas reactor still be called an Ecological Engineer?

I believe, that it's not crucial how you call her or him, but that you try to push ecological ideas in modern society. Today, ideas such as "systems thinking", "whole systems design", "recycling strategies" are part of various non-green disciplines: sanitary technology, the construction sector, city planning or even transportation. Experts from these fields are increasingly becoming part of the Ecological Engineering community. And they are warmly welcome!

The community is an inspiring environment! Join in if you like!

There remains of course a lot of work to be done. We are still building up our correspondent network. You can help us a lot by sending us news of interest (news, links, articles....) to the nearest EcoEng correspondent in your area or country. Or become a correspondent yourself!

You can also help the newsletter grow! This edition was produced with budget zero. If you place an ad in the next newsletter, you can reach a multitude of people interested in ecological engineering in no time and help us to continue!

Yours sincerely,

Andreas Schoenborn
EcoEng-online editor