Ecology, Ideology & Power

This book warns against the effort to sell a reactionary economic, political and social agenda dressed up as concern for and protection of the environment. The author is in no way opposed to any genuine ecological concerns, but his work demonstrates that what we call "environmentalism" is primarily an expression of the world view of segments of the world's upper class. When they talk to us about pollution, resource scarcity, and overpopulation, they are actually talking about their own fears and hatreds of the common people, and their ambitions for themselves. Whatever label we affix to today's environmentalism, it is certain that it carries over into the 21st century the same kinds of reactionary, aristocratic and elitist tendencies evident two centuries ago in England and Germany. Such tendencies also emerged in a significant way in the late 1800's in the United States, involving Malthusianism, social Darwinism and the eugenics movement. This is an exact reprint of the original edition published in 2002 under the title "Environmentalism: Ideology and Power." Review of the 2002 edition: Awesome Book Which Exposes Those in Big Business that Funded, Created, and Crafted Environmentalism and Why By Mark Fegley on August 23, 2006 This is a fantastic book; it easily receives 5 stars for the superb content and analysis. Dr. Gibson is simply a guy with terrific work who does not receive the attention he should. I highly recommend reading Gibson's "Battling Wall Street: The Kennedy Presidency" first that way you can become familiar with Gibson's work. This book goes into great detail about the money that created the environmental movement and why. Environmentalists may not like this book; if you are an environmentalist, read with an open mind. Dr. Gibson shows how big oil and other so called opponents of environmentalism actually created and fund the movement in the past and today. Gibson demonstrates the stranglehold these individuals and companies still control and manipulate the movement. Gibson does not all mention anything about pollution as good or bad. He makes very brief mention (less than a page) of global warming and how the scientific community is in disagreement on the issue. Gibson demonstrates that the individuals and companies who fund the movement have specific economic and ideological goals. One of the core messages behind the environmental movement is to stop the progress of technology. Technology is the largest economic force of redistribution of power and wealth in society. Many economist and social scientist acknowledge this reality. This is one of the many factors Gibson demonstrates as to explain why big business pushes the environmental movement. The book emphasizes the Rockefeller and Ford connections to the environmental movement, as well as the many extreme environmentalists who believe that the world's population should be reduced by 80% and call for a return back to oppressive and intense labor. The book offers a terrific explanation as to why the environmental movement is against religions such as Christianity. Gibson investigates the origins of Earth Day and how it was originally perceived as a corporate buyout and propaganda model. If you are environmentalist and consider yourself to dislike oil companies, ford corporation, and other seemingly destructive companies to the environment; then prepared to have your mind blown as you find out these are the very companies that control, created, fund, and shape the entire environmental movement. If you end up reading this book and like it or want to know more about the power groups involved in the book I recommend you to read both "Battling Wall Street" and "Communication Power and Media" by Donald Gibson. Overall this is a truly fantastic book, the information presented is hard to come by, well researched, and very honest.