Expert Statements Worth Paying Attention To
By Donella Meadows
–July 10, 1997–
Lay the world’s economists end to end, goes an old joke, and they’ll still point in every direction. Ask the world’s scientists about the environment, goes a modern myth, and they’ll disagree.
But surprisingly large numbers of scientists and even economists have been agreeing lately and issuing stunning public statements — stunning because of the extent of [...]
Old Cars, Air Conditioners, CFCS, and Hoaxes
By Donella Meadows
–July 3, 1997–
You would think that if any publication would NOT receive letters enflamed with political opinion, it would be Hemmings Motor News.
This magazine for folks who like to restore, buy, sell, and ride around in classic old cars normally has a letters page studded with proud pictures of a reader’s spiffed-up 1946 Dodge fire truck, newly acquired [...]
Dear Folks: June 28, 1997
Dear Folks, Whew! June is acceleration time on a farm! The days are at their longest, the soil warms up, and everything in the garden — that which we planted and that which we didn’t — jumps up and grows lustily. This June has felt more full of life, weeds, vegetables, flowers, activity, and acceleration than usual. And surprises.
The biggest surprise [...]
The Tobacco Companies Aren’t the Only Ones
By Donella Meadows
–June 26, 1997–
So the cigarette companies have negotiated a deal that would limit public control of their product and limit their liability for the millions of people who have died using that product.
As the nation debates their offer, I hear people branding tobacco executives as somehow uniquely evil. I’ve just read a book that leads me to believe [...]
Rio Plus Five and Going Backward
By Donella Meadows
–June 19, 1997–
Five years ago the leaders of 120 nations assembled at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro and signed a list of environmental pledges called Agenda 21. Next week (June 23-27) the U.N. General Assembly will hold a special “Rio Plus Five” session to check their progress.
There has been no progress.
A UNEP report prepared for the [...]
