Bombs Quote by Paul R. Ehrlich
“Overall, The Population Bomb was probably too optimistic. I was writing about climate change - Anne and I actually wrote the book. We discussed whether or not you'd have to take a gondola to the Empire State Building, and that sort of thing, but we didn't know at the time whether the climate change would be in the direction of heating or cooling. We just didn't know enough about it.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Population Bomb, 1968
Predictions about overpopulation were overly hopeful; climate science was uncertain then.
In simple terms: Early climate forecasts were optimistic.
Acknowledge uncertainty in complex predictions.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- policy planning
- education
- resource management
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What data would improve forecasts?
- How to balance optimism with caution?
Overconfidence can mislead policy.