 Hardcover edition | |
| Author | Bjørn Lomborg |
|---|---|
| Original title | Verdens sande tilstand |
| Translator | Hugh Matthews |
| Language | English Danish |
| Subject | Environmental economics and issues Natural resources |
| Genre | Non-fiction |
| Publisher | Centrum, Cambridge University Press |
Publication date | 22 September 1998 (Danish) |
Published in English | 30 August 2001 |
| ISBN | 0-521-01068-3 |
| OCLC | 45618321 |
| 363.7 21 | |
| LC Class | GE149 .L65 2001 |
| Followed by | Cool It: The Skeptical Environmentalist's Guide to Global Warming |
The Skeptical Environmentalist: Measuring the Real State of the World (Danish: Verdens sande tilstand, lit. 'The True State of the World') is a book by Danish author and statistician Bjørn Lomborg which focuses on the author's view of environmental economics and issues. It was first published in Danish in 1998 by Centrum, and in English by Cambridge University Press in 2001.
Lomborg was inspired by an interview with economist Julian Lincoln Simon to undertake an assessment of publicly available data, and published his findings as a series of articles in Politiken. These formed the basis of the book, in which Lomborg argues against a range of what he considers overly pessimistic claims about environmental issues and their impact on human prosperity. Lomborg argues that environmentalists' concerns over pollution, environmental degradation, decline in natural resources, and climate change are overstated, and outlines his opposition to policy responses like the Kyoto Protocol, deeming them insufficient and causing more harm than good based on cost–benefit analysis. He argues in favour of focus instead being channelled to poverty reduction and combating diseases.
The book generated great controversy and negative reviews upon its release.[1] Lomborg's assertions, methodology and representation of sources were criticised by scientists and groups both in Denmark and internationally. Positive reception in some popular media outlets contrasted sharply with this, and this combined with the ensuing debate aided the book's profile.[1][2]
The author was formally investigated by the Danish Committees on Scientific Dishonesty (DCSD) for scientific dishonesty, which confirmed the accusation and lack of expertise in relevant fields used in the book. The Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation criticised procedural aspects drawn by the DCSD, though decided not to reinvestigate. The Skeptical Environmentalist established Lomborg's profile as an opponent of the scientific consensus on climate change. In 2007, Lomborg published a follow-up work titled Cool It: The Skeptical Environmentalist's Guide to Global Warming.
- ^ a b van den Bergh, Jeroen C.J.M. (1 March 2010). "An assessment of Lomborg's The Skeptical Environmentalist and the ensuing debate". Journal of Integrative Environmental Sciences. 7 (1): 23–52. doi:10.1080/19438150903533730. ISSN 1943-815X. S2CID 216112173.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
:3was invoked but never defined (see the help page).