A global action plan.

The major points in Worldwatchs plan involve 1) development of energy strategies which protect the climate 2) expansion of forests 3) a substantial increase in efforts to meet food needs and 4) a halt to population growth. The consequence of "business as usual" is severe economic disruption social instability and human suffering. Energy strategies must be prioritized and reordered within 10 years. A safe effective way to curb use of fossil fuels which produce CO2 and account for 50% of the global warming is to improve energy efficiency to develop renewable energy sources and to abandon use of nuclear power. Use of existing technology has the most immediate largest effect. Solar hydro wind and geothermal technologies are much slower to develop and implementation has greater initial costs. An internationally consistent fuel-based tax on carbon content is also recommended. Investment in energy efficiency will be offset by reduced fuel bills for consumers and businesses. Forests which store 3 times the amount of carbon in the atmosphere contribute to CO2 buildup when cut down. Expanding forest cover in tropical countries means finding other ways to earn quick foreign exchange stimulate regional development and expand settlement areas. 130 million hectares of trees need to be planted just to meet demands for fuelwood and industrial wood products and to stabilize soil and water resources. 15 billion trees need to be planted each year for the next 15 years. Large food production increases are still possible in India Argentina and Brazil but few gains are expected in Japan China western Europe and North America. Subsistence farmers can boost production by multiple cropping intercropping biointensive gardening and composting of organic wastes. If food reserves tighten redirecting grain from livestock which amounts to 33% of a harvest is the only option for feeding the poor. Family planning (FP) will be instrumental in assuring food security. Countries with high growth rates must follow China and Japan in curbing population growth rapidly. This entails government commitment and an active national population education program widely available FP services and widespread improvements in economic and social conditions particularly for women. The several billion dollars/year needed from industrialized countries should be considered a "downpayment on the future."