UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS

Established 1968

World Scientists’ Warning to Humanity1992

“Human beings and the natural world are on a collision course. Human activities inflict harsh and often irreversible damage on the environment and on critical resources.”

“If not checked, many of our current practices put at risk serious risk to the future that we wish for human society and the plant and animal kingdoms, and may so alter the living world that it will be unable to sustain life in the manner that we know.”

“Fundamental Changes are urgent if we are to avoid the collision our present course will bring about.”

The Atmosphere

“Ozone depletion, caused by pollution, results in enhanced ultraviolet radiation, which can be damaging or lethal to many life forms. It has already caused widespread damage to humans, forests, and crops.”

Water Resources

“Heedless exploitation of ground water supplies endangers food production and other essential human systems. Some 80 countries containing 40% of the world’s population, now experience water shortages as a result of heavy demand on water systems.”

Oceans

“Destructive pressure on the earth’s oceans is severe, due to excess fishing and pollution caused by industrial, municipal, agricultural and livestock waste.”

Soil

“Current agricultural and animal husbandry has caused extensive land abandonment, significantly reducing soil productivity.”

Forests

“Tropical rain forests, as well as tropical and temperate dry forests, are being rapidly destroyed, resulting in the endangerment or extinction of plant and animal species.”

Living Species

“The irreversible loss of species, which may reach 1/3 of all species living now by the year 2100, is a serious problem we now face. Our massive and heedless tampering with the world’s interdependent web of life could lead to unpredictable collapses of critical biological systems whose interrelationships we are only beginning to understand.”

Population

“Pressures resulting from unrestrained population growth are resulting in an inability to sustain the earth’s resources. And this problem will only worsen if current practices continue.”

Security

“Success in reducing destruction to the earth’s resources will require great reduction in violence and war. Resources now devoted to war – amounting to over $1 trillion annually – are badly needed to sustain and improve the quality of life.”