The Natural Environment

Abstract

In the United States, the problem of sheer quantity of raw materials has given way in importance to the qualitative problem of environmental pollution. On the quantitative side, physical and economic indicators and goals are available, but on the qualitative side, such goals and indi cators are more difficult to conceive and work with because the more subjective problems of individual and social welfare must be taken into account. As exemplified by the water- quality studies of the Delaware Estuary, probably the basic indicator for social welfare would be the net social benefits (minus costs or losses in some sense) that would result from various selected measures to deal with a specific problem. Where estimates of benefits seem impossible, a second-best objective would be minimizing the social costs of selected measures. In view of the interrelatedness of environmental pollution problems, the concept of the "environmental problem shed" has been suggested—taking into account the various interrelated physical and social problems and indicators within a given area. Research is also needed on the processes by which environmental quality standards and programs are reached, the direction and rates of change for which statistical indicators are necessary, and to create and improve the indi cators of trends in environmental pollution and its effects on people.—Ed.