Throughout the book “the sceptical environmentalist”, the author Bjorn Lomborg argues against the “litany of our ever-deteriorating environment” (Lomborg 2001, 3). The litany refers to the popular view point of mass environmental destruction and rapid degradation caused by the human race; which is shaped by the media with the messages and images we see on a daily basis (Lomborg 2001, 3). The litany incorporates the issues such as declining food security, water quality, biodiversity loss and energy generation. Though, Lomborg goes against the metaphorical grain by suggesting the litany is grossly exaggerated, aiming to force action via the medium of fear; Lomborg also claims that there is little to no evidence to support the ideas within
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This essay will however argue otherwise. Firstly, Lomborg’s use of misleading statistics will be analysed, using his arguments of food security as an example. Next the essay will highlight the flaws in Lomborg’s environmental theory, which ultimately undermine his overall argument; using his biodiversity, food and water security chapters to illustrate these points.
Before looking at the theory presented within the book, it makes sense to address the data and statistics underpinning those ideas. Lomborg prides himself in presenting “the most comprehensive figures” to support each and every one of his arguments. Lomborg believes that the use of global figures helps to give a good overall picture, incorporating both improvements and declines on a global scale (Lomborg 2001, 7); helping to give a more easily evaluated figure which can clearly show global trends. This is how he presents nearly every argument within the book; first he would show some of the data presented as part of the litany, and then he would go on to disprove it using his “global figures” and “global trends”. When looking at the issue of starvation in the global trends section, Lomborg claims that “fewer
This essay will however argue otherwise. Firstly, Lomborg’s use of misleading statistics will be analysed, using his arguments of food security as an example. Next the essay will highlight the flaws in Lomborg’s environmental theory, which ultimately undermine his overall argument; using his biodiversity, food and water security chapters to illustrate these points.
Before looking at the theory presented within the book, it makes sense to address the data and statistics underpinning those ideas. Lomborg prides himself in presenting “the most comprehensive figures” to support each and every one of his arguments. Lomborg believes that the use of global figures helps to give a good overall picture, incorporating both improvements and declines on a global scale (Lomborg 2001, 7); helping to give a more easily evaluated figure which can clearly show global trends. This is how he presents nearly every argument within the book; first he would show some of the data presented as part of the litany, and then he would go on to disprove it using his “global figures” and “global trends”. When looking at the issue of starvation in the global trends section, Lomborg claims that “fewer