A brilliant Oxford scholar takes a skeptical look at environmentalism. Wilfred Beckerman explodes a number of myths currently advanced by radical environmentalists, including the assertion that natural resource depletion is imminent, and the never-ending claims regarding global warming. He contrasts those supposed "threats" to the environment with the very real ecological problems that face Third World countries and concludes that economic growth is the only way those areas will be able to develop the technology and wealth needed to handle their problems. In addition, he insightfully discusses the question of what society owes future generations.