Maybe One: a Personal & Environmental Argument for Single-Child Families

Bill McKibben's books and essays on our environment-- physical and spiritual-- have shaped and spurred debate since "The End of Nature" was published in 1989. Then, he sounded one of the earliest alarms about global warming; the decade of science since has proved his prescience. Now, in "Maybe One", he takes on the most controversial of environmental problems-- population. We live in a unique and dangerous time, he asserts, when the planet's limits are being tested and voluntary reductions in American childbearing could make a crucial difference.

The father of a single child himself, McKibben maintains that bringing one, and no more than one, child into this world will hurt neither your family nor our nation-- indeed, it can be an optimistic step toward the future. "Maybe One" is not just an environmental argument but a highly personal and philosophical one. McKibben cites new and extensive research about the developmental strengths of only children; he finds that single kids are not spoiled, weird, selfish, or asocial, but pretty much the same as everyone else.

McKibben recognizes that the transition to a stable population size won't be easy or pain-free but ultimately is inevitable. "Maybe One" provides the basis for provocative, powerful thought and discussion that will influence our thinking for decades to come.

Bill McKibben's books and essays on our environment — both physical and spiritual — have shaped and spurred debate in America since The End of Nature was published in 1989.

In Maybe One, McKibben tackles the most controversial of all environmental issues — overpopulation. He points out that we live in an age when the planet's limitations are being tested every day — and when voluntary reductions in childbearing could make a crucial difference. Drawing on his own experiences as the father of just one daughter, McKibben also argues that having only one child will hurt neither your family nor our nation — and that it can, in fact, be an optimistic and rewarding step toward ensuring a healthy future for our planet.

For readers concerned about the census bureau's prediction that there will be 400 million Americans by 2020, or for those who wonder how many children are necessary to lead a full and happy life, Maybe One will provide the basis for topical, powerful thought and discussion.