We live in what a growing number of scientists call the Anthropocene. Combining the Greek root word anthrop- (human) and the suffix -cene (new or recent), the Anthropocene is a period of time in which human activity is understood to have grown so impactful as to alter Earth's conditions. Examples of these planetary changes include (but are not…

This report addresses the global concern of water development and stresses the need for management of the water demand. Investments in water efficiency, recycling, and conservation are recommended over conventional water supply projects for greater cost behefits and production yield. Topic areas include: (1) water use trends in major crop…

Examines possible energy options and outlines assessments and conclusions influencing recent top level energy thinking and planning. Indicates that no nation on earth appears to have either a coherent long-range energy strategy or the institutions needed to devise one. (JR)

This graphic representation of our energy dilemma provides government officials, industry, and general public with an understanding of the broad problems and complexity of our energy crisis. An energy display system projects effects of energy policies on our domestic energy situation. This display contains sheets indicating total energy flow…

Traces the development of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources and describes its operation, including purpose, organization, and programs. (DC)

This paper, one of a series published by the Worldwatch Institute to identify and focus attention on global problems, is adapted from the author's book, "Rays of Hope: The Transition to a Post-Petroleum World." The author examines the current energy problems of the world, and determines that the energy patterns of the past are not the prologue to…

Discusses the world's energy requirements in contrast with the world's known and unknown energy reserves to illustrate the need for a stable and more equitable world-wide energy distribution system, especially for oil-importing countries. (CC)

The diversity of life forms is one of the greatest wonders of the planet earth. The biosphere is an intricate tapestry of interwoven life forms. This book offers an overall view of this biological diversity and carries an urgent warning about the rapid alteration and destruction of the environments that have fostered the diversity of life forms…

This special issue of "The Forensic Quarterly" provides background information on the problem chosen for the national high school forensic series for the 1975-76 academic year: What policy for the development and allocation of scarce world resources would best serve the interests of the people of the world? Section one is a profile of…

This packet of eleven microfiche contains resource materials concerning the 1975-76 National High School Debate issue, world resources. A substantial portion of these materials consist of publications from the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and discuss the world food situation, the world agricultural situation, and…

Data and activities examining the sources and uses of energy are included. (DE)

Tropical forests cover 20 percent of the Earth's land surface, but they are rapidly disappearing, with some estimating the loss of 7.5 million hectares a year. This bulletin provides a set of key facts relating to this problem. It details: (1) factors involving the rate at which the forests are disappearing; (2) some of the effects of these losses…

The relationships between earth's resources and the human future and the challenges of maintaining a sustainable environment were probed at an international conference sponsored by the World Resources Institute. A synthesis of the conference's reports, perspectives, and plans for action are presented in this document. The position supported by the…

The motivation for the organization of this symposium was the accumulation of evidence from many sources, both short- and long-term, that the global climate is in a state of change. Data which defy integrated explanation including temperature, ozone, methane, precipitation and other climate-related trends have presented troubling problems for…

A global approach to the world's problems is presented, viewing social, cultural, scientific, and humanistic questions as factors in a world that is a single interacting system. It is noted that the basic needs of the third world, which represents nearly half of the world's population, have not been met. A discussion on this topic addresses the…