Scarcity or Abundance?: A Debate on the Environment

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.)