More From Less: The Surprising Story of How We Learned to Prosper Using Fewer Resources—and What Happens Next

Contrary to the doomsayers, humanity can grow the economy while healing the environment, according to this hopeful exploration of sustainable development by MIT business research scientist McAfee (The Second Machine Age). He spotlights efficiency trends that have allowed America and other developed countries to reduce resource consumption even as their populations and economies soar: growing more food with less land, fertilizer, and water; making soft-drink cans with 85% less aluminum; constructing homes with less building material; replacing more than a dozen old-fashioned electronic gadgets with a single smartphone. McAfee attributes these successes to “the four horsemen of the optimist”—technological innovation, capitalist competition, public awareness, and judicious government regulation—which together have enabled most people in most places to lead longer, healthier, richer lives while saving such endangered species as the American bison. (He allows that much work is needed on climate change, protecting wild areas, and reducing pollution.) McAfee synthesizes a vast literature on economics and the environment into a lucid, robust defense of technological progress, including nuclear power and GMOs. This stimulating challenge to anticapitalist alarmists is full of fascinating information and provocative insights. (Oct.)