REFLECTIONS ON THE HUMAN PROSPECT

World population and the global economy are expanding in a manner that is propelling civilization along a path that is unsustainable, inequi table, and unstable. A concerted, global effort to discover, integrate , disseminate, and apply knowledge about the natural world and human b ehavior would change this trajectory to a path of sustainable human de velopment. This path would point toward the vision of a society in whi ch the basic human needs and an equitable share of life's amenities co uld be met by successive generations while maintaining in perpetuity a healthy, physically attractive, and biologically productive environme nt. The scholarly community is urged to provide impetus for the pursui t of this vision. An unprecedented degree of collaboration among the d isciplines will be necessary. New modes of communication and cooperati on among the major sectors of society will have to be fashioned. Knowl edge will become an organizing principle for society in the twenty-fir st century.