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Hi EN\ni«ONMENTAL ki.S£AltCH AND DEVELOMHEhTT 



much knowledge that could be used to improve it. Yet population growth 

 and increasing consumption of resources have led to deforesution and water- 

 shed dcstruaion throughout the world, have destroyed species, have changed 

 the atmosphere in potentially serious ways, have increased vulnerability to 

 extreme natural events, and have posed difficult problems in managing solid 

 and toxic wastes. 



The only way to resolve these dilemmas is through sustainable de- 

 velopment that meets the needs of present generations without jeopardizing 

 the well-being of future ones. Such development will be possible only with 

 major advances in knowledge that will allow us to use our resource', more 

 efficiently without damaging the environment. The United States must take 

 the lead in pursuing such knowledge, but it can do so only if the federal 

 research effijrt is reformed. 



