“Perhaps the simplest example is a synthetic plastic, which unlike natural materials, is not degraded by biological decay. It therefore persists as rubbish or is burned-in both cases causing pollution. In the same way, a substance such as DDT or lead, which plays no role in the chemistry of life and interferes with the actions of substances that do, is bound to cause ecological damage if sufficiently concentrated.” IfsWayPlayActionCausesNaturalRolesCasesExampleMaterialsEnvironmentalBoundsSubstanceDamageChemistryPlasticPollutionDecayBurnedInterferePersistSimplestEcologicalRubbishSyntheticDdtNatural Materials Author:Barry Commoner
“For that reason the simple test of the slogan 'Consume Less' as a basis for social action on the environment would be to tell it to the blacks in the ghetto. The message will not be very well received for there are many people in this country who consume less than is needed to sustain a decent life.” PeopleWellsCountryReasonWould BeActionSocialSimpleEnvironmentNeededMessagesTestsBasesDecentSlogansGhettoAffluenceSocial ActionDecent Life Author:Barry Commoner
“Earth Day 1970 was irrefutable evidence that the American people understood the environmental threat and wanted action to resolve it.” PeopleActionWantedEarthUnderstoodEvidenceThreatEnvironmentalResolveEarth DayFirefighterWorld Earth Day Author:Barry Commoner
“My entry into the environmental arena was through the issue that so dramatically - and destructively - demonstrates the link between science and social action: nuclear weapons.” ActionSocialIssuesWeaponsEnvironmentalNuclearLinksNuclear WeaponsArenaEntrySocial Action Author:Barry Commoner
“The environmental crisis is a global problem, and only global action will resolve it.” ProblemActionCrisisEnvironmentalResolveEnvironmental Crisis Author:Barry Commoner
