New Books in Economics Our Common Future: The Birth of Liberal Environmentalism
Sep 19, 2025
Explore the fascinating origins of eco-development, an idea brought to life by an unlikely partnership between an oil man and a socialist. Discover how they forged a global consensus at the UN, blending capitalism with sustainability. Delve into the significant impacts of the 1972 Stockholm conference and the influential Brundtland Commission's vision for a unified future. The podcast also addresses critiques and the evolving landscape of sustainable development, questioning whether such dreams can truly coexist with economic growth.
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Dust Bowl Origin Story
- Jim McNeil remembered being an ecological refugee after the Dust Bowl buried his family's home in sand dunes.
- That childhood trauma shaped his lifelong focus on environmental policy and practical infrastructure like dams.
Win‑Win Through Guided Policy
- Jim McNeil argued economic growth and environmental management can align if governments steer research and technology.
- He insisted global cooperation is required because single nations cannot solve transboundary environmental threats.
From Barbed Wire To The UN
- Morris Strong rose from modest roots to UN insider after a chance newspaper about the UN inspired him.
- He later recruited McNeil to advise the 1972 Stockholm conference and shaped the global agenda.
