“This optimistic view of the impact of economic growth and technological change on human welfare is an antidote to the prophecies of an imminent age of gloom and doom.”
—Robert W. Fogel, Nobel Laureate in Economics“Provocative, illuminating, sharp, and fact filled. Do you think that economic growth is a problem for the environment? Goklany will make you think again. Whether or not you're convinced by his arguments, you'll learn a ton from them.”
—Cass R. Sunstein, University of Chicago, author of Laws of Fear"A remarkable compendium of information at odds with the present fashionable pessimism, Goklany’s
The Improving State of the World, published by the Cato Institute, reveals that, contrary to popular belief, it is the poorest who are enjoying the most dramatic rise in living standards. Refuting a central premise of the modern green movement, it also demonstrates that as countries become richer, they also become cleaner, healthier and more environmentally conscious."
—Allister Heath, The Spectator,
read the full review "In a book to be published next month entitled
The Improving State of the World, Indur Goklany, of the Cato Institute, argues that the world’s state is, well, improving. He produces figures to demonstrate that chronic undernourishment has gone down in the past 50 years, we are living longer, we are healthier, the basic necessities of life are cheaper, literacy has gone up and so has educational attainment, economic freedom has increased and a larger proportion of mankind than ever enjoys political freedom."
—Daniel Finkelstein, The Times,
read the full article"Goklany's essential message in his book,
The Improving State of the World, is that the world over, more people are already, or are fast becoming, more blessed than they've ever been by a considerable margin."
—Richard Gwyn, Toronto Star, read the full article"What Goklany concludes is that massive progress has been made in so many areas as a result of the positive impact of economic growth, technological progress and more liberal trade. It's clear that never have more people had access to education, health care, food, clean water and an improving environment."
—Michael Campbell, Vancouver Sun "There is much to commend this book. For those interested in countering the pessimism that infects public media, or who wish to understand the different strategies available to tackle climate change, this is an important work."
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London Book Review, read the full article“[Goklany] marshals an impressive array of historical data to argue that the trajectory of the twentieth century has been generally upward and onward.”
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Foreign Affairs"Goklany, an expert on environmental issues, argues convincingly for economic growth and technological change. Goklany supports his case with impressive illustration and documentation. Goklany's book is a stark contrast to doom-and-gloom books that would halt economic growth to prevent environmental problems. Copious footnotes and large index. Highly recommended to general readers; students; lower-division undergraduate and up; faculty and practitioners."
—D. D. Miller, Booklist“Goklany does an excellent job of refuting the global pessimists by documenting the dramatic improvements experienced in recent times by humankind, not only in the developed world, but worldwide. Goklany addresses a vast array of issues from the improving state of humanity’s life expectancy to his examination of the promise and peril of bioengineered crops. The vast breadth of Goklany’s inquiry is impressive, as is his exhaustive documentation.”
—Roger A. Sedjo, Resources for the Future
