"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."
-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."
-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
