World Scientists' Warning to Humanity
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 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. ... No more than one or a few decades remain before the chance to avert the threats we now confront will be lost and the prospects for humanity immeasureably diminished.
". . . forests are being destroyed rapidly. At present rates, some critical forest types will be gone in a few years, and most of the tropical rainforest will be gone before the end of the next century. With them will go large numbers of plant and animal species."
Given the above and the vital role the forests play as an element in Earth's life support system, it is imperative that we vigorously protect and restore our nation's forest ecosystem. To do this, we must immediately reign in present run away logging practices and minimize other threats to the forest ecosystem such as acid rain, UVB radiation and conversion of forest lands to other uses.
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 2004
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