In 1975, in the midst of the worldwide oil crisis, Prince Edward Island was facing the highest engery prices in Canada. But Canada's smallest province became the talk of the nation when the government of Alex B. Campbell took a bold step: it proposed to make the Island a veritable laboratory forrenewable energy. Thus was born the Institute of Man and Resources, whose mandate was to research, develop, and demonstrate systems for alternative energy and resource self-sufficiancy. Most often associated with the Ark, a "bioshelter" experiment in sustainable living, the IMR attracted a mix of back-to-the-landers, committed young engineers, scientists, and ordinary citizens interested in moving the world beyond oil. The IMR also attracted considerable attention in envirnomental circles, nationally and even internatioanlly.

However, within a decade, it was all over, and the Institute of Man and Resources was dead. Why did the collapse occur? How had the Institute made such a name for itself in the first place? And what is its legacy? This book chronicles the rise and fall of the institute of Man and Resources, an important Canadian environmental group of the 1970's,and contributes to the broader literature on the history ofenvironmentalism. Indeed, as the debate over global warmingsharpens public awareness once more about the repercussionsof fossil fuel use, this balanced and nuanced history seemsmore timely and relevant than ever.