The True State of the Planet

by R. Bailey

In the 25 years since the first Earth Day in 1970, the environmental movement has spawned a new generation of scientists asking vital questions about the true state and fate of the planet. But, surprisingly, some of their answers -- and even the questions themselves -- contradict the movement's deepest beliefs. Why are reserves of oil, precious metals, and other natural resources more plentiful than ever before? Why has the population growth of the twentieth century brought rising standards of living for nearly all? In The True State of the Planet ten premier scholars shatter the myths of overpopulation, food, global warming, and pesticides, while redirecting environmentalists' concerns to the far more urgent problems of fisheries, fresh water, and third-world pollution -- and the political causes behind them.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction

Unknown Binding

First published May 1, 1995

Reviews

[Steven H · Rating 2 out of 5]

A REJECTION OF MANY ENVIRIONMENTALISTS' CLAIMS ABOUT OUR CURRENT CONDITION

This 1995 book contains a number of essays on topics including Population; Global Warming; Biodiversity, etc. Editor Ronald Bailey wrote in the Prologue, "(this book) seeks to close the widening gap between environmental activists and environmental science. In these pages, eleven leading researchers present the latest facts ... and other trends. They will puncture several first-wave illusions, but they will also refocus our priorities on the very real problems still to be faced." (Pg. 6)

One essayist notes, "(chloroflurocarbons) are very powerful greenhouse gases, and... they add significantly to the overall greenhouse effect. They destroy some ozone in the stratosphere, and because ozone also operates as a greenhouse gas, the destruction of ozone by the CFCs may ultimately minimize the total greenhouse contribution of the CFC molecules." (Pg. 87)

Another states, "Commercial logging is not a major cause of deforestation; expanding agriculture is... The developed countries ... appear to have largely completed forestland conversion to agriculture and have achieved relative land use stability. By contrast, the developing countries in the tropics are still in a land conversion mode." (Pg. 204)

Another essayist says, "Although the Clean Water Act and other legislation has greatly reduced the pollution of U.S. waters, significant amounts continue to be generated annually. A particularly difficult question has been the huge number of extremely small pollution sources, from backyards to barnyards, that cumulatively contribute perhaps 50 percent of the total pollution in some areas." (Pg. 302)

An essayist admits, "There is no longer any real dispute over the fact that the major fishing fleets are simply too effective and too numerous." (Pg. 306) But the Epilogue to the book adds, "most conucopians would probably note the rapid expansion of private aquaculture and suggest that if, in fact, oceanic resources do disappear, the world will have already created adequate substitutes." (Pg. 381)

Although somewhat "dated" now, this book is nevertheless a comprehensive look at the environment from a critical conservative perspective, and will remain of interest to many readers.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a wee bit dated, but it makes the very valuable point that, except for greenhouse gas emissions, virtually all environmental indicators have been trending positive for the passed 30 years.