The Dominant Animal: Human Evolution and the Environment

Since the 1968 publication of Paul and Anne Ehrlich's The Population Bomb, they have played a major role in generating awareness of looming ecological crisis. While their more dire predictions (millions dead in famines before the end of the 20th century) have not come to pass, the correctness of their fundamental thesis-that we are in danger of undermining ""the ability of Earth's environment to support much of life-including our own,"" is now widely accepted. Forty years later, they consider scientific, technical and cultural developments (especially in the fields of genetics and information technology), and how they've raised the stakes, perhaps ""putting all of humanity on a course resembling the fate of ancient civilizations that collapsed."" They argue clearly and convincingly the pressing need for a global shift away from the ever-expanding siren call of consumerism, the culpability of corporate interests that have promoted resource-draining suburban sprawl, and the self-serving wastefulness of ""the most affluent fifth of the U.S. population."" Tough hopeful that such widespread transformation is possible, the Ehrlichs contend that it's only the encroaching crisis that will inspire it-unless, that is, this fascinating, inspiring book gets the wide audience it deserves.