Teaching and the Environmental Challenge

Underlying the increased concern for environmental quality is the realization that the earth is vulnerable. This is a quantitative concept: the disturbances that Man is capable of generating on the earth are capable of substantially altering its character. Until recently Man's activity could not affect the viability of the earth in a substantial way in a period as short as a generation. Man's understanding of the earth's processes was also insufficient to detect and interpret the slower effects that he was responsible for. As Man's capacity to harm the earth increases, his capacity to monitor and control also increases—fortunately. The task ahead is to refine our understanding of the interaction of Man with his environment, to disseminate a consciousness of this interaction, and to make adjustments in values and behavior where necessary.