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view, all kinds of new technology which should make it possible for 

 the Nation to undertake this job. By this, I mean, we are already 

 becoming aware of the capability of the satellites, data buoy systems, 

 submersibles, and so forth, to do this job. 



It really becomes, then, a question of how we will apply this new 

 technology to this enormous task. We feel that there is no one way to 

 go about this job. It is going to require a balanced program of research, 

 exploration, technology development, and also the development of 

 what we have called a global environmental monitoring and predic- 

 tion system. 



Why do we need such improved environmental knowledge? The 

 reasons reach very deeply in to the fiber of our n^ational life. It is 

 quite clear that for the national security, or for those who operate in 

 on or under the oceans for any purposes, it is absolutely essential that 

 we know the sea state and temperatures and currents of the oceans. 

 It is essential to the national economy in many ways that we have a 

 very much improved capability forecast, both of the changes in the 

 oceans and in the weather. 



For example, the fishing industry would be well served if we could 

 provide them with a knowledge of ocean currents and temperatures 

 and predict their changes. The industry would be served by a knowl- 

 edge of the topography of the ocean floor, and the patterns of life in 

 the oceans. 



It is quite clear also that because of the eifect of the oceans on the 

 atmosphere, we could, if we know more about the oceans and atmos- 

 phere over the oceans, provide inproved forecasts of the weather 

 which would have tremendous implications for all of the activities we 

 undertake not only at sea but on land as well. We would be able to 

 provide improved protection of life and property and support the 

 national economy in many ways. Land and sea transportation would 

 be safer and more efficient. Our agricultural interests would be served 

 by improved weather forecasts. Many other examples could be given. 



These were some of the reasons that led us to the view that an 

 effort to describe, monitor, and predict the global environment would 

 be necessary. 



Another thing that struck the Commission after a review of much of 

 the work on enviromnental modification that had been undertaken in 

 this country and abroad was that man is on the verge of being able to 

 alter the behavior of his environment. There is a great need to under- 

 stand man's effects upon his environment. There is a great need to be 

 able to deal with this problem in a rational way. In this report we 

 have recommended that the proposed new agency undertake the task 

 of exploring both the feasibility and the consequences of modification 

 of man's environment. 



That is by way of background. The Commission has really come up 

 with five major proposals with respect to global environment. The 

 first, deals with the need for exploration of the biology, geophysics, 

 and geochemistry of the seas. The second deals with the need for 

 development of what we have called a comprehensive national system 

 of monitoring and predicting changes in the sea, air, and certain aspects 

 of the solid earth. The third deals with the need to conduct a syste- 

 matic program of theoretical and experimental research into the prob- 

 lems of enviromental modification. And the last two address the 

 importance of advancing international cooperation in oceanographic 



