A distinguished elderly man with gray, curly hair and thick-rimmed glasses, wearing a beige suit and a striped tie, is seated at an event or conference. His expression is thoughtful as he looks slightly upward, with a neutral background suggesting an indoor, professional setting.
A distinguished elderly man with gray, curly hair and thick-rimmed glasses, wearing a beige suit and a striped tie, is seated at an event or conference. His expression is thoughtful as he looks slightly upward, with a neutral background suggesting an indoor, professional setting.

Barry Commoner

Historical

Historical

May 28, 1917

-

Sep 30, 2012

A distinguished elderly man with gray, curly hair and thick-rimmed glasses, wearing a beige suit and a striped tie, is seated at an event or conference. His expression is thoughtful as he looks slightly upward, with a neutral background suggesting an indoor, professional setting.

Barry Commoner

Historical

Historical

May 28, 1917

-

Sep 30, 2012

Biography

FAQ

Quotes

Biography

Barry Commoner was an outstanding American biologist and one of the first activists of modern environmentalism. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Jewish immigrants from Russia. A love of learning characterized Commoner's early life, and he went to Columbia University, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Zoology in 1937. He continued his education, and by 1941, he had earned a master's degree and doctorate in cellular biology from Harvard University when the United States was on the brink of entering the Second World War.

Commoner was a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during the war, and the experience taught him about the world's resource management problems and environmental effects that would define his future work.

Following the war, Commoner took up an appointment as a professor of plant physiology at Washington University in St. Louis, where he held the position for over thirty years. His education was also active in parallel with the fighting. He started the Center for the Biology of Natural Systems in 1966, where the relationships between organisms and their ecosystems were established.

He was not restricted to teaching and research; he protested against the effects of nuclear explosions for testing in the 1950s and 60s. His research, including the well-known "Baby Tooth Survey," proved the direct connection between nuclear fallout and the presence of radioactive Strontium-90 in children's teeth, which contributed to the signing of the 1963 Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

Commoner's impact on the masses was observed in 1971 when he wrote 'The Closing Circle,' a book that educated millions of people on the basic principles of ecology. He talked about the risks of pollution in industrialization and called for a complete overhaul of the American economy to conform to the laws of ecology.

His arguments were usually in contrast with those of other well-known environmentalists of his time, including Paul Ehrlich, whom Commoner considered put too much emphasis on population explosion as the cause of environmental problems and not industrial pollution.

Commoner was a very vocal socialist who believed that ecological issues were intertwined with social and economic injustice, an idea that would shape his environmental orientation. Commoner's political career involved a bid for the U.S. presidency in 1980 as a Citizen Party aspirant to tackle environmental, economic, and energy problems through revolution. It did not successfully gain much support for his candidacy, but it introduced ecological issues into the political realm.

Commoner remained active in environmental science and activism until he died in 2012 at 95, and the man was a true embodiment of science in society.

Quotes

"Everything is connected to everything else."

"There is no such thing as a free lunch."

"Nature knows best."

"Everything must go somewhere."

"The greatest single cause of environmental contamination is nuclear fallout."

"The proper use of science is not to conquer nature but to live in it."

"Environmental quality is inseparable from the quality of human life."

"The environmental crisis is fundamentally a product of the way we live."

"The battle to save the planet is a battle to change the system."

"Pollution is the symbol of a failed economic system."

"We cannot solve the environmental crisis without also solving the crisis of human inequality."

"The environment is not a separate sphere from human activity, but its very foundation."

"Modern technology must be restructured to be consistent with ecological principles."

"Energy policy is the cornerstone of environmental policy."

"The planet will survive human folly, but humanity may not."

FAQ

What is Barry Commoner known for?

He is known for his foundational work in the environmental movement and for advocating the connection between environmental, social, and economic justice.

What are Barry Commoner’s four laws of ecology?

The four laws are: "Everything is connected to everything else," "Everything must go somewhere," "Nature knows best," and "There is no such thing as a free lunch."

What was the significance of the Baby Tooth Survey?

It demonstrated the presence of radioactive fallout from nuclear tests in children’s teeth, leading to the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty of 1963.

What was Barry Commoner’s stance on population control?

He argued that environmental degradation was caused by industrial pollution and not overpopulation, contrasting with other environmentalists like Paul Ehrlich.

How did Barry Commoner contribute to the environmental movement?

He raised public awareness about the environmental impact of industrial pollution, nuclear fallout, and waste, and he called for systemic changes in society.

What books did Barry Commoner write?

He ran for president of the United States in 1980 as the Citizens Party candidate, focusing on environmental and economic reforms.

What was Barry Commoner’s role in politics?

He ran for president of the United States in 1980 as the Citizens Party candidate, focusing on environmental and economic reforms.

What was Commoner’s view on technology and the environment?

He believed that modern technology, especially in capitalist systems, was the primary driver of environmental damage, and he advocated for eco-socialist reforms.

Did Barry Commoner believe in sustainable development?

Yes, he was one of the early proponents of sustainability, arguing that economic systems should be restructured to be ecologically sound.

What is Barry Commoner’s legacy?

Commoner is remembered as a trailblazer in the environmental movement, influencing both scientific research and public policy on ecological issues.

Biography

FAQ

Quotes

Biography

Barry Commoner was an outstanding American biologist and one of the first activists of modern environmentalism. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Jewish immigrants from Russia. A love of learning characterized Commoner's early life, and he went to Columbia University, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Zoology in 1937. He continued his education, and by 1941, he had earned a master's degree and doctorate in cellular biology from Harvard University when the United States was on the brink of entering the Second World War.

Commoner was a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during the war, and the experience taught him about the world's resource management problems and environmental effects that would define his future work.

Following the war, Commoner took up an appointment as a professor of plant physiology at Washington University in St. Louis, where he held the position for over thirty years. His education was also active in parallel with the fighting. He started the Center for the Biology of Natural Systems in 1966, where the relationships between organisms and their ecosystems were established.

He was not restricted to teaching and research; he protested against the effects of nuclear explosions for testing in the 1950s and 60s. His research, including the well-known "Baby Tooth Survey," proved the direct connection between nuclear fallout and the presence of radioactive Strontium-90 in children's teeth, which contributed to the signing of the 1963 Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

Commoner's impact on the masses was observed in 1971 when he wrote 'The Closing Circle,' a book that educated millions of people on the basic principles of ecology. He talked about the risks of pollution in industrialization and called for a complete overhaul of the American economy to conform to the laws of ecology.

His arguments were usually in contrast with those of other well-known environmentalists of his time, including Paul Ehrlich, whom Commoner considered put too much emphasis on population explosion as the cause of environmental problems and not industrial pollution.

Commoner was a very vocal socialist who believed that ecological issues were intertwined with social and economic injustice, an idea that would shape his environmental orientation. Commoner's political career involved a bid for the U.S. presidency in 1980 as a Citizen Party aspirant to tackle environmental, economic, and energy problems through revolution. It did not successfully gain much support for his candidacy, but it introduced ecological issues into the political realm.

Commoner remained active in environmental science and activism until he died in 2012 at 95, and the man was a true embodiment of science in society.

Quotes

"Everything is connected to everything else."

"There is no such thing as a free lunch."

"Nature knows best."

"Everything must go somewhere."

"The greatest single cause of environmental contamination is nuclear fallout."

"The proper use of science is not to conquer nature but to live in it."

"Environmental quality is inseparable from the quality of human life."

"The environmental crisis is fundamentally a product of the way we live."

"The battle to save the planet is a battle to change the system."

"Pollution is the symbol of a failed economic system."

"We cannot solve the environmental crisis without also solving the crisis of human inequality."

"The environment is not a separate sphere from human activity, but its very foundation."

"Modern technology must be restructured to be consistent with ecological principles."

"Energy policy is the cornerstone of environmental policy."

"The planet will survive human folly, but humanity may not."

FAQ

What is Barry Commoner known for?

He is known for his foundational work in the environmental movement and for advocating the connection between environmental, social, and economic justice.

What are Barry Commoner’s four laws of ecology?

The four laws are: "Everything is connected to everything else," "Everything must go somewhere," "Nature knows best," and "There is no such thing as a free lunch."

What was the significance of the Baby Tooth Survey?

It demonstrated the presence of radioactive fallout from nuclear tests in children’s teeth, leading to the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty of 1963.

What was Barry Commoner’s stance on population control?

He argued that environmental degradation was caused by industrial pollution and not overpopulation, contrasting with other environmentalists like Paul Ehrlich.

How did Barry Commoner contribute to the environmental movement?

He raised public awareness about the environmental impact of industrial pollution, nuclear fallout, and waste, and he called for systemic changes in society.

What books did Barry Commoner write?

He ran for president of the United States in 1980 as the Citizens Party candidate, focusing on environmental and economic reforms.

What was Barry Commoner’s role in politics?

He ran for president of the United States in 1980 as the Citizens Party candidate, focusing on environmental and economic reforms.

What was Commoner’s view on technology and the environment?

He believed that modern technology, especially in capitalist systems, was the primary driver of environmental damage, and he advocated for eco-socialist reforms.

Did Barry Commoner believe in sustainable development?

Yes, he was one of the early proponents of sustainability, arguing that economic systems should be restructured to be ecologically sound.

What is Barry Commoner’s legacy?

Commoner is remembered as a trailblazer in the environmental movement, influencing both scientific research and public policy on ecological issues.

Biography

FAQ

Quotes

Biography

Barry Commoner was an outstanding American biologist and one of the first activists of modern environmentalism. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Jewish immigrants from Russia. A love of learning characterized Commoner's early life, and he went to Columbia University, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Zoology in 1937. He continued his education, and by 1941, he had earned a master's degree and doctorate in cellular biology from Harvard University when the United States was on the brink of entering the Second World War.

Commoner was a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during the war, and the experience taught him about the world's resource management problems and environmental effects that would define his future work.

Following the war, Commoner took up an appointment as a professor of plant physiology at Washington University in St. Louis, where he held the position for over thirty years. His education was also active in parallel with the fighting. He started the Center for the Biology of Natural Systems in 1966, where the relationships between organisms and their ecosystems were established.

He was not restricted to teaching and research; he protested against the effects of nuclear explosions for testing in the 1950s and 60s. His research, including the well-known "Baby Tooth Survey," proved the direct connection between nuclear fallout and the presence of radioactive Strontium-90 in children's teeth, which contributed to the signing of the 1963 Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

Commoner's impact on the masses was observed in 1971 when he wrote 'The Closing Circle,' a book that educated millions of people on the basic principles of ecology. He talked about the risks of pollution in industrialization and called for a complete overhaul of the American economy to conform to the laws of ecology.

His arguments were usually in contrast with those of other well-known environmentalists of his time, including Paul Ehrlich, whom Commoner considered put too much emphasis on population explosion as the cause of environmental problems and not industrial pollution.

Commoner was a very vocal socialist who believed that ecological issues were intertwined with social and economic injustice, an idea that would shape his environmental orientation. Commoner's political career involved a bid for the U.S. presidency in 1980 as a Citizen Party aspirant to tackle environmental, economic, and energy problems through revolution. It did not successfully gain much support for his candidacy, but it introduced ecological issues into the political realm.

Commoner remained active in environmental science and activism until he died in 2012 at 95, and the man was a true embodiment of science in society.

Quotes

"Everything is connected to everything else."

"There is no such thing as a free lunch."

"Nature knows best."

"Everything must go somewhere."

"The greatest single cause of environmental contamination is nuclear fallout."

"The proper use of science is not to conquer nature but to live in it."

"Environmental quality is inseparable from the quality of human life."

"The environmental crisis is fundamentally a product of the way we live."

"The battle to save the planet is a battle to change the system."

"Pollution is the symbol of a failed economic system."

"We cannot solve the environmental crisis without also solving the crisis of human inequality."

"The environment is not a separate sphere from human activity, but its very foundation."

"Modern technology must be restructured to be consistent with ecological principles."

"Energy policy is the cornerstone of environmental policy."

"The planet will survive human folly, but humanity may not."

FAQ

What is Barry Commoner known for?

He is known for his foundational work in the environmental movement and for advocating the connection between environmental, social, and economic justice.

What are Barry Commoner’s four laws of ecology?

The four laws are: "Everything is connected to everything else," "Everything must go somewhere," "Nature knows best," and "There is no such thing as a free lunch."

What was the significance of the Baby Tooth Survey?

It demonstrated the presence of radioactive fallout from nuclear tests in children’s teeth, leading to the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty of 1963.

What was Barry Commoner’s stance on population control?

He argued that environmental degradation was caused by industrial pollution and not overpopulation, contrasting with other environmentalists like Paul Ehrlich.

How did Barry Commoner contribute to the environmental movement?

He raised public awareness about the environmental impact of industrial pollution, nuclear fallout, and waste, and he called for systemic changes in society.

What books did Barry Commoner write?

He ran for president of the United States in 1980 as the Citizens Party candidate, focusing on environmental and economic reforms.

What was Barry Commoner’s role in politics?

He ran for president of the United States in 1980 as the Citizens Party candidate, focusing on environmental and economic reforms.

What was Commoner’s view on technology and the environment?

He believed that modern technology, especially in capitalist systems, was the primary driver of environmental damage, and he advocated for eco-socialist reforms.

Did Barry Commoner believe in sustainable development?

Yes, he was one of the early proponents of sustainability, arguing that economic systems should be restructured to be ecologically sound.

What is Barry Commoner’s legacy?

Commoner is remembered as a trailblazer in the environmental movement, influencing both scientific research and public policy on ecological issues.

Life and achievements

Early life

Barry Commoner was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1917, to Russian Jewish immigrants. His early life was marked by an intellectual curiosity that led him to excel in school. After graduating from Columbia University with a degree in zoology in 1937, he pursued graduate studies at Harvard, where he earned a master’s in 1938 and a doctorate in cellular biology in 1941. As World War II erupted, Commoner served in the U.S. Navy, which deepened his awareness of global issues, particularly those related to resource management and environmental degradation. These experiences during the war helped shape his scientific outlook and laid the foundation for his environmental activism.

In 1947, Commoner joined Washington University in St. Louis as a professor, where he would remain for over three decades. During his time there, he became increasingly involved in public science and environmental issues. His research in the 1950s and 60s focused on the effects of nuclear fallout and industrial pollution. This culminated in his leadership role in the Baby Tooth Survey, which linked nuclear fallout from above-ground tests to harmful levels of Strontium-90 in children’s teeth. Commoner’s work played a key role in the public pressure that led to the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty of 1963, marking one of the first major victories for the modern environmental movement.

Legacy

Barry Commoner’s legacy is that of a scientist who understood the intersection of ecology, society, and economics. His groundbreaking research on the environmental impacts of nuclear testing and industrial pollution helped to usher in a new era of environmental awareness in the 1960s and 70s. His 1971 book The Closing Circle introduced millions to the idea that ecological systems and human systems are deeply interconnected. His four laws of ecology—“Everything is connected to everything else,” “Everything must go somewhere,” “Nature knows best,” and “There is no such thing as a free lunch”—became guiding principles for the environmental movement.

Beyond his scientific contributions, Commoner was an advocate for systemic social change. He believed that capitalism, particularly its focus on profit over environmental and social well-being, was at the root of ecological degradation. His vision for an eco-socialist future, where technology and industry were reorganized to support environmental sustainability, has continued to influence environmental thinking. Commoner’s involvement in politics, particularly his 1980 presidential campaign, brought environmental issues into the national conversation in ways that were unprecedented at the time.

Commoner’s impact extended beyond academia and activism; he played a critical role in the development of environmental justice. He was an early proponent of the idea that environmental issues disproportionately affect poor and marginalized communities. His work laid the foundation for the environmental justice movement, which continues to fight for equitable environmental policies today.

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Your donation today shapes the future of how families and friends connect.
You will become a featured Ambassador.
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Your donation today shapes the future of how families and friends connect.
You will become a featured Ambassador.
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Milestone moments

Oct 10, 1963

Baby Tooth Survey and the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
Barry Commoner’s research team conducted the Baby Tooth Survey, demonstrating that nuclear fallout was contaminating children’s teeth with radioactive Strontium-90.

This groundbreaking research proved a direct link between above-ground nuclear tests and the spread of harmful radioactive elements.

Public outrage over these findings played a key role in pushing for international agreements to halt nuclear testing.

The result was the 1963 Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, a major victory for environmental activists.

Apr 30, 1970

Earth Day and Environmental Awareness
Barry Commoner played a key role in the first Earth Day, a national environmental teach-in that took place on April 22, 1970.

This event mobilized millions of Americans to peacefully demonstrate for environmental reform, raising awareness about pollution, nuclear fallout, and sustainability.

Commoner's research and advocacy, particularly through his widely read publications, contributed to the growing public concern about environmental degradation.

Earth Day marked a significant moment in the environmental movement, leading to the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) later that year.

Jun 21, 1971

Publication of The Closing Circle
In 1971, Barry Commoner published The Closing Circle: Nature, Man, and Technology, a landmark work that articulated his four laws of ecology.

The book argued for systemic changes to the economy, emphasizing that technological and industrial practices were the primary drivers of environmental damage.

Commoner's eco-socialist perspective challenged existing environmental approaches, making the book a bestseller and a cornerstone of modern ecological thought.

Jul 30, 1980

Presidential Candidacy with the Citizens Party
In 1980, Barry Commoner ran for President of the United States on the Citizens Party platform, focusing on environmental and economic reforms.

His campaign was unique for bringing ecological issues into the political mainstream, advocating for renewable energy and criticizing corporate-driven environmental degradation.

Though he received only a small percentage of the vote, Commoner's candidacy helped frame environmental issues as central to national policy debates.

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