Only One World: Our Own to Make and to Keep (Vox Populi) [Hardcover]

Gerard Piel (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0716723166 | ISBN-13: 978-0716723165 | Publication Date: April 1992 | Edition: 1St Edition

Gerard Piel brings to the monumental issues addressed in Only One World the knowledge and understanding accumulated in his four decades as publisher of Scientific America?. Under his leadership, the magazine has distinguished itself not only by bringing the achievements of science to the wider audience, but also by monitoring the industrial revolution, the effects of human activity on the environment, the arms race and arms control, population growth, and economic development. In nine languages and 10 editions, Scientific American has a worldwide circulation of more than one million readers. The June 1992 United Nations Earth Summit will focus on the tremendous human and environmental devastation caused by the gap that divides the world's rich and poor nations. Written in anticipation of that conference, "Only One World" is Gerards Piel's vision of how to heal this division - how to make this only world "One World", and 'keep' it so. It is an urgent message about the survival of the planet. In "only One world ", Piel describes how the current disparity between industrialised and pre-industrial nations developed over the course of history. He then shows how the acceleration of economic development in poor nations can reduce the costs of poverty to the environment - and how rich and poor nations alike can adapt their appetites and their technologies to sustain and develop the planetary ecosystem.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Only if the world's poor, preindustrial nations restart their industrial revolutions will they be able to eradicate poverty and stabilize population growth, in Piel's judgment. To aid in this task, the chairman emeritus of Scientific American urges the wealthy, industrialized nations to support massive economic aid and technology transfer to the Third World. His careful, scientific discussion of ozone depletion, acid rain and other damage to the biosphere and its ecosystems leads him to make various policy recommendations, which include intensive research into solar and other alternative forms of energy. This levelheaded developmental primer includes a country-by-country survey of what is needed to trigger economic growth. Piel's pragmatic vision for a new partnership between rich and poor nations makes urgent reading for policymakers, economists, politicians, environmentalists and concerned citizens. Illustrations.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Distributed to delegates at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Only One World contributes to the debate on the crises of poverty and the environment. Piel is publisher of Scientific American and with quiet eloquence presents an impressive array of scientific, social, and economic detail on these crises. He argues for greater economic development to limit Third World population growth, enhance the quality of life, and achieve environmental stability. However, some of his data are either dated or grossly exaggerated (Piel's figures on annual tropical forest losses exceed by a factor of 25 those of other authorities), while little reference is made to Third World thinking and realities. The book should be used in conjunction with others, such as Paul Harrison's The Third Revolution ( LJ 6/15/92). Recommended for larger libraries. Previewed in "Sources for Sustaining the Earth," LJ 5/15/92, p. 116-17.
- Bill Rau, Takoma Park, Md.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 367 pages
• Publisher: W.H. Freeman & Company; 1St Edition edition (April 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0716723166
• ISBN-13: 978-0716723165
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,716,052 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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