There were many publications arguing for limits to growth in the late 1960s and early 1970s. One of the most famous studies done at this time was commissioned by the Club of Rome, which was formed in 1968 by scientists, educators, economists, humanists, industrialists and civil servants. The study used a computer model of the world economy to show that the existing growth rates of population and economic activity could not continue indefinitely on a planet that had only limited natural resources and limited ability to deal with pollution.

In the same year, the magazine The Ecologist devoted an entire issue (later published as the book, A Blueprint for Survival) to arguing that economic growth could not continue into the future without disaster. Their argument was supported by thirty-three eminent academics.

Other significant writings included an article by economist Kenneth Boulding and several books on population growth by Stanford Professor of Biology, Paul Ehrlich.