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The book that warned of an end to civilisation

The environmental warnings from 1972 which were ignored, why East German punks were targeted by the secret police, plus how peace was won in El Salvador and the Chippendales.

In 1972 a book which outlined the possible future of the world became a best-seller. 'The Limits to Growth' was based on computer modelling which suggested that if economic growth remained unfettered, there'd be a 'traumatic' decline in civilisation from 2020. It also suggested global policy changes which could prevent a downward trend. Find out which path the world took and why...

Plus, why East German punks were targeted by the secret police in the 1980s, a top UN negotiator remembers how peace was won in El Salvador in 1991, the first black sitcom in Britain and the launch of the Chippendales - the first male strip show for women - in 1979.

Photo: Front cover of 'The Limits to Growth' published in 1972.

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53 minutes

Last on

Tue 7 Jan 2020 00:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sat 4 Jan 2020 15:06GMT
  • Sun 5 Jan 2020 15:06GMT
  • Tue 7 Jan 2020 00:06GMT

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