World Resources

Human overpopulation is stressing world resources. Although new technologies continue to increase food production, most food is produced in industrialized countries that already have a high per-capita food consumption. Maximum oil production is expected to continue in this millennium. Continued use of fossil fuels adds more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming. Deforestation of large areas of the world results from continued demand for forest products and fuel. This trend contributes to the greenhouse effect, causes severe regional water shortages, and results in the extinction of many plant and animal species, especially in tropical forests. Forest preservation would result in the identification of new species of plants and animals that could be important human resources: new foods, drugs, building materials, and predators of pests. Nature also has intrinsic value that is just as important as its provision of human resources. Recognition of this intrinsic worth provides important aesthetic and moral impetus for preservation.