“The gap between the rich and poor is growing among and within most nations. The political and social effects of unequal location of energy and other mineral resources are acute. Population numbers continue to climb. The global environment shows signs of widespread deterioration. Both natural and social environments are increasingly vulnerable to catastrophic disturbances... There may, however, be a cheering challenge in the possibility that out of its struggle with these realities the human race may move a bit nearer to behaving as if it were indeed one family.” IfsHumansMayShowsRealityMovingPoliticalEnergyNationsSocialBitsNaturalChallengesPoorNumbersRaceStruggleRichEnvironmentGrowingEffectsPossibilityResourcesEnvironmentalPopulationVulnerableHuman RaceClimbsGapsCheerLocationRich And PoorDisturbanceMineralsDeteriorationSocial EnvironmentMineral Resources Author:Gilbert F. White
“It would be rash to conclude that, on balance, the environment of the globe as a whole is either deteriorating or improving, or that the survival of the societies we know depends upon filling a simple set of prescriptions. It is all too complex and dynamic, whether it involves managing greenhouse gases or Nile snails... The future condition of the globe's interlocking natural and social systems depends more on human behavior than on the further investigation of natural processes, however desirable that may be.” KnowsHumansMayWholeWould BeSocialProcessNaturalSimpleEnvironmentConditionsDependsBalanceBehaviorSurvivalComplexesEnvironmentalSustainabilityInvestigationGlobesImprovingHuman BehaviorDesirableFillingPrescriptionsGreenhousesSocial SystemsGreenhouse GasesSnailNileDeteriorating Author:Gilbert F. White