Environmental Science - General & Miscellaneous, Philosophy of Science - General & Miscellaneous, Environmental Impact & Analysis, Humanity - Relationship with Nature
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Overview
Never before have questions about our relationship with the environment loomed so large in human affairs. Is the world at an historical threshold, where we risk dooming ourselves and our planet if we don't change the way we exploit the Earth's resources? Or are environmentalists being alarmists, underestimating nature's resilience and humanity's adaptiveness? Is species extinction something we really need to worry about? Can we find new supplies or substitutes for scarce resources? Norman Myers, an award-winning environmentalist, and Julian Simon, a University of Maryland economist and outspoken skeptic on environmentalism, are at polar opposites on these questions. This book is a transcript of their provocative exchange in a debate held at Columbia University in October 1992. The authors also provide position statements and replies that let readers judge for themselves whose arguments are more persuasive. This book makes a brief, stimulating guide to a most important issue.Editorials
Publishers Weekly -
Myers (The Primary Source) and University of Maryland economics professor Simon vehemently disagree on virtually every environmental issue. On a philosophical level, Simon maintains that the quality of human life steadily improves and will continue to do so, while Myers argues that we stand on the brink of environmental catastrophe. The text is a transcript of a debate held at Columbia University in 1992, with pre-and postdebate summaries added for the book. Critical issues discussed are population growth, preservation of biodiversity, global warming, the ozone layer and air and water quality. Despite the variety of topics, this short book is repetitive; with neither author expounding beyond the veneer of his viewpoints, the debate emerges as superficial. Illustrations. (Aug.)Library Journal
This book is a transcript of a debate held at Columbia University in October 1992. Myers, an award-winning environmental scientist, warns about the rapid environmental decline in terms of population growth, species loss, urban sprawl, and dwindling resources-concerns he has voiced in previous books, such as Ultimate Security (LJ 8/93) and Gaia: An Atlas of Planet Management (Doubleday, 1992. rev. ed.). Simon (economics, Univ. of Maryland) offers a completely different viewpoint, arguing that the world is in better condition than in the past and will continue to improve because of our ability to solve problems. He uses data from his previous publications, such as Population Matters (Transaction Pubs., 1990). The authors raise interesting issues, but their arguments are often repetitious, and Simon is shrill at times. The authors' previous writings are preferable for a more in-depth treatment.-Teresa Berry, Univ. of Tennessee, KnoxvilleFrom The Critics
See Focus on p.1906.Booknews
A transcript of the provocative debate held at Columbia University in October, 1992, between Norman Myers, renowned environmentalist, and Julian Simon, economist and outspoken sceptic of environmentalism. The authors provide position statements and replies; the purpose of the book is to encourage readers to judge for themselves whose arguments are more persuasive. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)Book Details
Published
September 15, 1994
Publisher
New York : W.W. Norton, c1994.
Pages
192
Format
Hardcover
ISBN
9780393035902