The book that predicted an end to civilisation
In 1972, the authors of The Limits to Growth used a computer model to predict the future if economic trends continued unabated. The analysis suggested global decline from 2020.
The Limits to Growth was published in 1972 and predicted global decline from 2020. It was based on a computer model which analysed how the Earth would cope with unrestricted economic growth. Researchers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology fed in huge amounts of data on population, pollution, industrialisation, food production and resources. They found that if the trends continued, the result would be a sudden and uncontrollable downturn beginning around 2020. Claire Bowes hears from one of the authors of the book, Professor Dennis Meadows.
Image: Front cover of The Limits to Growth, published in 1972
Last on
Broadcasts
- New Year's Day 202008:50GMTBBC World Service
- New Year's Day 202012:50GMTBBC World Service
- New Year's Day 202013:50GMTBBC World Service News Internet
- New Year's Day 202016:50GMTBBC World Service Australasia
- New Year's Day 202018:50GMTBBC World Service except Australasia, East and Southern Africa, South Asia & West and Central Africa
- New Year's Day 202021:50GMTBBC World Service South Asia
- New Year's Day 202023:50GMTBBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
- Thu 2 Jan 202003:50GMTBBC World Service UK DAB/Freeview & Online only
- Thu 2 Jan 202004:50GMTBBC World Service Australasia, Americas and the Caribbean, South Asia & East Asia only
Podcast
![]()
Witness History
The story of our times, told by the people who were there
