world faces a new form of interdependence imposed by 

 the nature and scale of human activity and the finite 

 capacity of the earth to assimilate our abuses. The 

 collective results of human activity, particularly in 

 the use of energy, minerals, and biological resources, 

 are causing or could soon cause undesired physical 

 changes worldwide, including the possibility of 

 increased cancer due to air and water-borne chemicals 

 and threats to the ozone shield in the upper 

 atmosphere; loss of ocean productivity due to 

 pollution; and shifts in climatic and rainfall patterns 

 due to atmospheric pollution, increased C0 2 from 

 burning fossil fuel, and deforestation. 



A search for better alternatives is underway, 

 stimulated in part by concerned citizens who recognize 

 that these issues, once thought to be peripheral, are 

 central to improved guality of life. Fortunately, much 

 can be done economically to substitute human ingenuity 

 (technology) for resource consumption in supplying 

 goods and services, and to improve many existing 

 technological practices that make inefficient use of 

 resources. Indeed, human ingenuity is the roost 

 fundamental of resources and should be the most 

 important basis for future development. However, the 

 conservation concept of substituting technology for 

 resource consumption requires imaginative leadership 

 and greater technological sophistication throughout the 

 world. Heavy investments of time and human resources 

 are needed to meet this requirement. 



Realization of the imperative for improved resource 

 management has resulted in new U.S. policies. This 

 imperative has several dimensions, including a 

 declining base of low-cost domestic resources and 

 escalating problems of environmental and health costs 

 associated with human activities. New policies aimed 

 at improving resource management (which include 

 regulations, financial incentives, and standards) have 

 spurred the development and application of improved 

 technology. Some undesired trends and conditions have 

 been ameliorated by such improvements as: 



— reforestation for sustained yield production; 

 agricultural practices (e.g., no-till cultivation, 

 crop rotation, improved use of artificial 

 fertilizers) to stabilize soils and maintain 

 fertility; pesticides, herbicides, and biological 

 controls with less environmental impact; 



— technologies to find and use lower-grade mineral, 

 oil, and gas deposits; 



— controls on pollution emissions, sometimes 

 resulting in recovery of valuable by-products; 

 improved industrial processes that result in less 

 pollution. 



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