by Irma S. Jarcho
Meta-analyses are all the rage in the scientific literature so it might be appropriate to attempt a "meta-review" of a book which has had more of an impact on environmental circles than any other book in recent memory: Gregg Easterbrook's A Moment on the Earth: The Coming Age of Environmental Optimism (Viking, New York, 1995).
There is a rather sharp division between admirers and detractors of the book. Surprisingly, it has been praised by William K. Reilly, former Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and has received highly favorable reviews in The Wall Street Journal. The New York (Sunday) Times Book Review was among those praising the book, applauding the author for criticizing "the liberal ideologues of the environmental movement for ignoring their own triumphs." Numerous (mostly Republican) Congressmen of the 1994 vintage also found in the book support f or their attempts to curtail environmental regulation. Earth Times' review of Easterbrook's book is, in general, approving and considers that he "has stirred the pot. And now that it's boiling, an intelligent discussion of the issues it raises can begin."
In general, nonscience journals and newspapers, especially those in the economic and financial field, looked approvingly on Easterbrook's thesis that a great deal has already been accomplished [it has!] and that we are exaggerating the threats of ozone depletion, endangered species, and global climate change and that those guilty of this exaggeration are Chicken Little "enviros," as he calls them [he's wrong! the threats are real!].
On the opposite side of the ledger are the journals in the science and environmental fields. They have reviewed the opus more acerbly than I ever recall reviewers achieving. Natural History (August 1995) states that "ignoring rigorous science, using sources and opinions selectively, employing illogic, and invoking mysticism, can permit polemicists to promote wildly different and highly personal viewpoints about the state of the environment." The reviewer states that Part I of the book contains some of the most egregious cases of misunderstood, misstated, misinterpreted, and plainly incorrect "science" writing the reviewer has ever encountered.
Technology Review (Nov/Dec 1995) comments that Easterbrook commits so many errors of fact and judgment that his efforts to show how environmentalists don't give sound science or logic their due backfires. The reviewer then lists some of the errors -- including confusing global and regional temperature trends, economic growth and economic development.
The review in Scientific American for February 1996 states that "the overall problem with A Moment on the Earth is that it consists of such a jumble of value judgments, anecdotes, and errors that the constructive thoughts are often obscured."
Undoubtedly the most informed and devastating indictment of Easterbrook's mistakes and misstatements are contained in the two-part refutation of the book, written by staff members of the Environmental Defense Fund. Enormously exercised by the mistakes in the book, the staff set down, point by point, each point amply documented. These two compilations are listed as resources (#8) in this issue. They are inexpensive and exhaustively accurate and would serve as good reference sources for the topics covered. Part One refutes errors in Easterbrook's discussion of habitat loss, global warming, ozone depletion, and species extinction. Part Two contains a refutation of Easterbrook's discussion of the Exxon Valdez's oil spill as well as errors in his chapters on acid rain, forests, and the Developing World. Particularly mystifying is Easterbrook's downplaying of the importance of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring. He denies such obvious truths as the fact that insects are becoming resistant to pesticides, asserts that "nothing Carson forecast in Silent Spring has come to pass," and boasts of the increase in raptors without noting that this was due to the banning of DDT. The furor about A Moment on the Earth has died down. However, its Pollyannaish outlook on the very real problems that do and may confront the global environment may have done lasting damage. It has certainly given comfort and reassurance to those who feel that concern about the environment is exaggerated.
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