Tipping Point: The True Story of "The Limits to Growth"

What is the legacy of "The Limits to Growth"? How did the Meadows navigate the aftermath of their groundbreaking work? We explore Dana Meadows' life after publication, and the resonance of her pioneering ideas.

As our world stands at the precipice of escalating environmental crises, this episode uncovers how the warnings of this work resonate - although they focused on "patterns, not predictions", some parts of their baseline scenario can be seen unfolding today. Is the understanding of their lessons growing as we grapple with an escalating ecological emergency?

Join us as we not only investigate the researchers' post-publication journeys. This final episode is not just a look back at the aftermath of a groundbreaking study, but a forward-looking exploration - are we listening now?

Learn more at tippingpoint-podcast.com.

We want to express our gratitude to those who have been instrumental in the making of this podcast. First and foremost, our thanks go to Graeme Maxton for introducing us to Dennis Meadows and Jorgen Randers. Their generous contribution of time and insight has been invaluable.

We also wish to acknowledge the assistance and support we have received from many others, including Diana Wright, assistant to the late Dana Meadows, Marta Ceroni of The Donella Meadows Project at the Academy for Systems Change, Peter Carini of the Rauner Special Collections Library at Dartmouth College, the Smithsonian Institute, Alexander Greene, Robert Braile, Heiko Specking, and Anupam Saraph. Please note that while we have received help from many quarters, the presentation of events and any errors or omissions in this work are our own.

How did a research project lead to a book, and who propelled "The Limits to Growth" to the world stage? Grappling with indifference from the very people that she hoped would champion their analysis of empirical patterns in economy and ecology, young scientist Dana Meadows makes a pivotal decision. As we peel back the layers of history, we discover how this small step, coupled with the unexpected involvement of ex-spies among others, would catapult "The Limits to Growth" into an international sensation, sparking a wildfire of public debate, giving rise to modern socio-ecological modelling and reaching millions worldwide. We reveal the PR struggle, the lies and surprises that shape the legacy of this most politicized work of global environmental science.

Learn more at tippingpoint-podcast.com.

We want to express our gratitude to those who have been instrumental in the making of this podcast. First and foremost, our thanks go to Graeme Maxton for introducing us to Dennis Meadows and Jorgen Randers. Their generous contribution of time and insight has been invaluable.

We also wish to acknowledge the assistance and support we have received from many others, including Diana Wright, assistant to the late Dana Meadows, Marta Ceroni of The Donella Meadows Project at the Academy for Systems Change, Peter Carini of the Rauner Special Collections Library at Dartmouth College, the Smithsonian Institute, Alexander Greene, Robert Braile, Heiko Specking, and Anupam Saraph. Please note that while we have received help from many quarters, the presentation of events and any errors or omissions in this work are our own.

The story begins with young scientists Dana and Dennis Meadows, embarking on an eye-opening trip across Asia, a journey that would ignite their interest in understanding global problems. What were the origins of their famous project? How did they come across the Club of Rome, and set out on their ambitious quest to develop a World model that could help identify the societal trends driving looming crises? Join us in this episode to explore the genesis of a slim little book that would shake the world.

Learn more at tippingpoint-podcast.com.

We want to express our gratitude to those who have been instrumental in the making of this podcast. First and foremost, our thanks go to Graeme Maxton for introducing us to Dennis Meadows and Jorgen Randers. Their generous contribution of time and insight has been invaluable.

We also wish to acknowledge the assistance and support we have received from many others, including Diana Wright, assistant to the late Dana Meadows, Marta Ceroni of The Donella Meadows Project at the Academy for Systems Change, Peter Carini of the Rauner Special Collections Library at Dartmouth College, the Smithsonian Institute, Alexander Greene, Robert Braile, Heiko Specking, and Anupam Saraph. Please note that while we have received help from many quarters, the presentation of events and any errors or omissions in this work are our own.