TO FIND A KEY TO THE FUTURE - PHYSICOCHEMICAL CONDITIONS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The future is open, therefore it is impossible to predict correctly wh at is to come. Nevertheless, we have expectations about the future bec ause man has got the experience that substantial trends, which have th eir origin in the past, will continue. This means, from the view of na tural sciences, the fundamental laws of physics and chemistry set a fr ame also for the time to come. First of all, the conservation theorems and the principle ot dissipation of energy and matter set boundaries to our activities. From this assertion the existence of quantitative l imits of growth and limits of population capacity on earth is deduced. These limits are dynamic quantities whish depend on many variables, p articularly on human behaviour. Within the given boundaries it is poss ible to establish a sustainable society Man himself is responsible for his future.