Jared Diamond: Solving the problems of the world

Fritz Lanham in the Houston Chronicle:

While Diamond's warnings about deforestation, soil erosion and unfettered energy consumption resonate with environmentalists, he's taken some heat for not roundly bashing corporations — oil companies in particular. For example, he has nice words for the environmentally sensitive way Chevron has managed its Papau New Guinea oil fields.

He favors ''a mixed relationship" with energy companies and the like, he said, ''rewarding those do good things. And for those who are doing bad things, a mixture of punishing them and encouraging them to do good things." In New Guinea, Chevron apparently recognized that mucking up the place would rile the locals, making it harder to do business.

Asked if he considers himself a man with a mission, Diamond first dismisses the idea, then reconsiders...

More here.