Robert Repetto – författare

Can the world reverse current deterioration of resources and the environment, while at the same time promoting a better quality of life for all?  Experts in various areas of environmental research and policy here offer a broad overview of the state of the world’s threatened resources and, drawing on evidence from recent experiences in many countries, propose realistic and politically practical corrective measures.  The essays, written by such authorities as Robert Dorfman, Amulya K. N. Reddy, Stephen Schneider, Roger Revelle, and Janos Hrabovszky, range from discussions on the environmental implications of present economic trends to ways in which we can improve energy efficiency in transportation, housing, industry, and agriculture; from evaluations of mechanism that would control atmospheric pollution on an international level to the contribution of mari-culture to the ocean’s productive potential.  Describing the effects their recommended changes might have on high-income, middle-income, and poor countries, the authors conclude by analyzing obstacles to implementing their agenda, proposing institutional changes, crosscutting reforms, methods form compensating losers or distributing gains, and ways of generating political and popular support.  These essays formed the basis for discussion by international experts at the influential Global Possible Conference, sponsored by the World Resources Institute in May, 1984.

“We must mobilize now to achieve the global possible.  If we do, the future can be bright.  We have sufficient knowledge, skill, and resources—if we use them.  If we remain inactive, whether through pessimism or complacency we shall only make certain the darkness that many fear.” –from World Enough and Time How can we improve living standards and promote economic growth throughout the world while still maintaining our natural resources and environmental quality?  This book by Robrert Repetto describes how governments, businesses, and private citizens have been able to promote policies that lead to a more stable population and resource base and to more efficient energy use.  Repetto argues that worldwide progress could be realized if we continue to implement those strategies that have already proven effective. Repetto identifies basic mechanisms that are part of successful policy initiatives.  He then provides specific ways to use resources wisely.  He shows through examples how relatively low cost policy changes can result in improved life expectancy and population stability, more livable cities, more plentiful food supplies without damage to soils and water, preservation of biological resources, sustainable use of forests and fisheries, and an abundance of energy with less environmental risk.  Finally, he explores the important implications these initiatives have for governments, international agencies, science, industry, and private voluntary agencies. This book is a companion volume to The Global Possible: Resources, Development, and the New Century, a series of essays by international experts that formed the basis for discussion at the influential Global Possible Conference sponsored by the World Resources Institute in 1984.  World Enough and Time offers a succinct summary of the principal findings of the conference and makes its conclusions accessible to a wider audience.  It is essential reading for government leaders, environmental groups, and anyone concerned with the future of our plane’s population and resources.  “At last we have a global blueprint for the future that doesn’t reassure us to do nothing or pronounce that there is nothing we can do.  World Enough and Time picks out the success stories of the past decade that could help meet the challenges to come.” –U.S. Senator (Vice President) Albert Gore “In this book a shrewd analyst has sifted through the resource policy debates and identified strategies that have worked before and can work again.  It’s reassuring to know there are tested ways to make tomorrow better.  With World Enough and Time in hand, we have the evidence.” –former U.S. Senator Edmund Muskie

This volume explores the role of governments in accelerating the rate of forest destruction by providing direct and indirect subsidies to support what would otherwise be non-commercial logging operations. In a series of country-by-country investigations, including examples from the developed and developing worlds, this book documents the government policies that are leading to the misuse of forest resources. Each is written by an authority on the county, and each contains descriptive, analytical and empirical material on key policies and their effects. The final country analysis focuses on the United States, where the consequences of the subsidized timber sales by the US Forest Service from most of the national forests are discussed. The book concludes with an overview of the impact of forest policies and the role of bilateral and multilateral agencies in their formulation. By directing attention toward the political dimension involved in forest clearance, this book will provide a clearer insight into the basic reasons why forests continue to be destroyed despite the outcry raised by conservationists.

This book briefly reviews sociological, economic, and demographic literature pertaining to the relationship between income and fertility in developed and developing countries. He presents a conceptual framework to examine how fertility responds to changes in the distribution of household income. The analysis of data from Puerto Rico, Korea, and rural India is carefully executed, and conclusive policy implications are discussed.Originally published in 1979