Prospects for the 21st Century—The Global Challenge: Tasks for the 21st Century

Abstract

The most pressing problems facing the world in the 21st century are considered to be population growth together with depletion of the world's resources, social instability, poverty in developing countries, consumerism and the division between North and South, None is held solely responsible, for all these factors interact, and all will contribute to the global challenge facing the next generation. The removal of barriers between North and South is called for, enabling a transfer of knowledge and technology from one to the other, Systems are required that do not squander materials and energy, and that provide for collaboration and cooperation between North and South in technical research and economic development, Only then will the ultimate goal of global sustainability be achieved.