Location:
International Food Policy Research Institute
2033 K Street, NW, Washington, DC
Fourth Floor Conference Facility
Tuesday, April 9, 2002
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
R.S.V.P.

Abstract
In the recently published book, "The Skeptical Environmentalist: Measuring the Real State of the World," the author Bjørn Lomborg questions the validity of what he calls "the litany of our ever-deteriorating environment."

In his words: "We are all familiar with the litany of our ever-deteriorating environment. It is the doomsday message endlessly repeated by the media. We have heard the litany so often that yet another repetition is, well, almost reassuring. There is, however, one problem: it does not seem to be backed up by the available evidence. We are not running out of energy or natural resources. There is ever more food, and fewer people are starving. In 1900, we lived for an average of 30 years; today we live for 67. According to the UN, we have reduced poverty more in the last 50 years than we did in the preceding 500, and it has been reduced in practically every country."

"Global warming is probably taking place, though future projections are overly pessimistic and the traditional cure of radical fossil-fuel cutbacks is far more damaging than the original affliction. Moreover, its total impact will not pose a devastating problem to our future. Nor will we lose 25-50% of all species in our lifetime - in fact, we are losing probably 0.7%. Acid rain does not kill the forests, and the air and water around us are becoming less and less polluted."

"In fact, in terms of practically every measurable indicator, mankind's lot has improved. This does not, however, mean that everything is good enough. We can still do even better. Opinion polls suggest that many people - in the rich world, at least - nurture the belief that environmental standards are declining. Knowing the real state of the world is important because fear of largely imaginary environmental problems can divert political energy from dealing with real ones."

In this seminar, Mr. Lomborg will present key findings and conclusions from his book, which has stirred great controversy in leading journals such as Nature, the Scientific American, Science, and the Economist.

Two discussants, Allen Hammond of the World Resources Institute, and Patrick Moore of Greenspirit (former head of Greenpeace), will initiate the general discussion.

Please RSVP to 202-862-8107 or Email: S.Hill-Lee@cgiar.org.