Ecology on Rollins Island

"Ecology on Rollins Island" by Varley Lang is a captivating science fiction story from the middle of the 20th century. It paints a picture of a future where the World Food Institute has complete power over food, showing the dangers of too much control and harm to the environment. The main character, George Henry, is a rebel who dislikes the WFI's rules. When he's caught breaking the law, he's given a choice: work with WFI or go to jail. He decides to manage an ecological station on Rollins Island, where the goal is to harvest seabirds for food. As he and others struggle with their difficult work and the disgusting smell of bird waste, George hatches a daring plan using rats to get rid of the birds and restore the island's natural beauty. The island's ecosystem changes drastically, becoming dominated by rats which causes problems for the inhabitants and the mainland. The story makes us think about what people will do to survive, how our relationship with nature affects society, and the ripple effects of ecological change.