One-Dimensional Ecology Revisited A Rejoinder

The authors continue their debate with Barry Commoner on the significance of population growth in assessing mans ecological destiny from their review of The Closing Circle. The relative importance of population and affluence are presented in a manner misleading to the reader. The statistical analysis on which his conclusions are based are unavailable; his publications on this subject have apparently not been submitted to qualified scientific scrutiny. He fails to integrate the problem of using old technologies to meet new levels of demand indicative measures of impact on resources and importation of pollution intensive goods. The U.S. is considered in isolation; all men and their activities are part of the ecosystem. Further debate would be counterproductive because it asks what environmental problems can be safely ignored. In the diagreement of scientists the credibility of the environmental movement is the loser.