Population, resources, and technology: Political implications of the environmental crisis

Abstract

Virtually everyone recognizes the existence on an environmental crisis in the world today, but many uncertainties remain concerning the precise nature of this crisis and its domestic and international implications. This much is clear: The world's population is continuing to grow at an alarming pace; finite resources are being utilized at exponential rates; and technological advances are contributing to negative ecological outcomes. These trends have been documented extensively. Their political significance, however, has received little attention if only because the visibility of the problem is such a recent phenomenon. This article is addressed to some of the political consequences and international implications of the environmental crisis.