School children in Ecuador checking the water quality of a neighborhood stream. Photo courtesy of Global Rivers Environmental Education Network

Population Summit of the World's Scientific Academies, New Delhi, India In 1993, 58 national academies of science met to discuss the global status of population growth, development, and environmental health. Among the issues addressed was the dominant impact that the current surge in population growth will have on ecological diversity and quality of life in the 21st century. Throughout history, considerable environmental degradation occurred in the human pursuit of shelter, food, and clothing. Current human activities that contribute to this disruption include inappropriate agricultural practices, poor environmental management, and direct and indirect pollution from energy use and industrial processes. Indicators of worsening environmental exploitation are widespread deforestation and loss of productive agricultural lands, accelerating biodiversity loss, rising greenhouse gas emissions, and shortages of food, wood, and fuel. 1 of 3