Conclusion
In the 1970s, Colin Clark would widen his critique against the Malthusians, including the Zero Population Growth movement as well as challenging the bleak, dystopian picture put out by the Club of Rome in its first report, The Limits to Growth, which appeared in 1972.
His chemistry background proved useful in this regard. He was quick to point out that there was no chance of an exhaustion of resources since many were actually indestructible, meaning huge potential for recycling. Clark was also adamant that pollution was not directly related to population growth and was conquerable, though most societies were reluctant to devote the 1-2% of GDP needed, he felt, to abate it. He did warn, however, that economies could not continue to burn fossil fuels, especially coal, as a form of energy.On the alleged global shortages of food, Clark (1970) turned Malthus on his head, warning that Western countries were facing the blight of early deaths from obesity. At the same time, he admitted that there were severe cases of malnutrition amongst children in India and elsewhere. He also continued to note how world fertility levels were turning down after an initial surge in the post-war years.
While Clark made further contributions to journals, wrote two books and indeed co-authored two others, none of this work would have the impact of his previous research. His last journal article, Clark (1985), on long-term cyclical economic change, was redolent of earlier works.
Clark died in Brisbane on 4 September 1989 surrounded by his large family of eight sons (seven of whom were Australian-born), one daughter and his loving wife, Marjorie. He was interred at Mount Gravatt Cemetery, Brisbane, with the headstone engraved with an inscription that summed up his life as an economist: ‘Example is better than precept'.