Here’s a great video from Reason.tv on “The Top Five Environmental Disasters that Didn’t Happen.” I have asked, seriously, why people still pay attention to hysterical scare-mongers like Paul Ehrlich. I’ve been told it’s because they “raised awareness” of environmental issues, but after reading The Population Bomb and other screeds–and I use that word deliberately–by the more radical elements of the environmentalist movement, it’s pretty clear that Ehrlich and others have not “raised awareness” of global environmental challenges. They have fueled hysteria about non-problems (overpopulation, for example) that have obscured rather than highlighted the real environmental and social problems we face (poverty, disease, racism, etc). There are a lot of words I would use to describe these endeavors. “Laudatory” is not among them.
One of the things I love about my job is that I get to spend a lot of time around thoughtful, passionate students who are willing to listen and eager to learn. I’m meeting with a student group called The Ruka this evening to talk about economics, the environment, and intentional community. Here’s more about the group, and here’s their blog. My tentative theme for our discussion will be “Dietrich Bonhoffer Meets Friedrich Hayek.” I look forward to an excellent discussion.
