But Is It True?: A Citizen's Guide to Environmental Health and Safety Issues
Global warming. Acid rain. Ozone holes. Just how much are we really at risk? This careful analysis of the evidence concludes that aside from ozone depletion, claims of imminent catastrophe are 'mostly false, unproven, or negligible.' (New York Times Book Review)But Is It True?is a guided tour de force of most of the American and global environmental causes célèbres since 'The Great Cranberry Scare' of 1959...It exemplifies the wit and vigor that have characterized [Wildavsky's] previous work. It exemplifies his passion for truth. (John AdamsNature)The book...offers a wealth of clearly written information on past and current environmental science controversies, and it is a godsend to those who teach environmental policy classes. The book also makes a clear and compelling case for challenging conventional wisdom about the environmental perils that appear to surround us. (Hank C. JenkinsAmerican Political Science Review)Survey[s] a Hit Parade of great eco-scares...This is an exhaustive attempt to show how journalists and environmentalists have whipped up hysteria about these great nondangers to the public's health. (Max BootWall Street Journal)Published posthumously, this book presents in a simplified, concise manner scientific findings related to environmental and safety issues of general concern...Wildavsky follows issues such as Love Canal, Agent Orange, PCBs, and Alar from initial findings through media hype to resulting governmental regulation. He invites citizens to evaluate the facts and his conclusions regarding the exaggeration of danger. Wildavsky's hope is that citizens will apply similar factual consideration to other issues as they arise...Recommended. (Judith L. LessoLibrary Journal)The author offers a sociology of scientific knowledge in the United States and how the independent findings of non-governmental organizations influenced processes of decision-making concerning environmental issues. In this purpose, Wildavsky starts with very concrete and knowledgeable case-studies and develops later on to more general conclusions about the relationship between science and citizenship. This collective enterprise is a well-researched manual for environmentalists. Moreover, it offers a compendium of strategies to assess the risk of harmful substances and to prevent the detriment of health...Wildavsky's last book is an excellent, differentiated and well-documented tool to make democracy more accountable and, at the same time, thrilling. (José M. MagonePolitical Studies [UK])The measure of the importance of Wildavsky's work on risk is that nobody involved in environmental and health risk issues can afford to ignore it, least of all the environmentalists he is likely to infuriate. here, as ever, Aaron Wildavsky is iconoclastic, provocative, insightful, engaging and engaged. (John S. DryzekJournal of Public Policy)