Released in July 1980, this landmark study warned of grave consequences for humanity if changes were not made in environmental policy around the globe. Prepared over a three year period by the President's Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) in cooperation with the U.S. Department of State and other federal agencies, this was the first comprehensive and integrated report by the United States or any other government projecting long-term environmental, resource, and population trends. It was the subject of extensive publicity, attention, and debate, influencing political leaders and policy makers the world over.

In announcing release of the report, CEQ warned that "U.S. Government projections show that unless the nations of the world act quickly and decisively to change current policies, life for most of the world's people will be more difficult and more precarious in the year 2000."

Specifically, the study states that "If...