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Joining Buckley to debate the resolution, "Resolved: Environmentalists have gone too far, too fast," were seven members of the press, government, environmental groups, academia and manufacturing.

National Manufacturers Association President Jerry Jasinowski, Senator Larry Craig (R-Idaho) and MIT Professor Richard Schmalensee joined Buckley in support of the resolution.

Against the resolution were former California Governor Jerry Brown, Sierra Club President Carl Pope and Woods Hole Research Center President George Woodwell, led by Eugene Linden, Time magazine environmental writer.

The debate was moderated by Michael Kinsley, editor of Slate magazine.

Each group opened the debate with a short statemen.

Then each member was paired off in turn with every opposition member for an intense question-and-answer session.

The debate moved quickly from particular policies to more sweeping discussions of sustainability, the accuracy of global warming evidence, the role of the developing world in environmental protection and whether the U.S. has fulfilled its obligation to the environment.

Brown and Woodwell came out most strongly against the resolution, urging continued protection and the need for "satiety," as Brown stated.

Linden and Pope both emphasized the broad consensus of Americans for further environmental protection. Buckley and Craig were most vociferous in their opposition. Buckley accused Brown of wanting humans to live in "wigwams," while Craig and Pope exchanged vitriolic accusations of lying over Craig's poor environmental voting record. Viewers also witnessed fierce clashes between Buckley and Linden over America's commitment to the environment.

The debates were held in Stude Concert Hall, in Alice Pratt Brown Hall. No date has yet been set for the show's airing.

This item appeared in the News section of the March 21, 1997 issue.