Development and the environment in the next two decades

This paper considers the environmental problems which might face the state of Western Australia in the next two decades, against the background of a development scenario, current concern over the environment, and the Doomsday Syndrome which seems to be conditioning much of current thinking. Two important aspects of the State's future are considered: resource depletion and pollution. A positive view of the resource depletion problem is taken in that it is impossible to assess reserves of natural resources without considering the impact of science and technology upon resource development and discovering new resources. There is also considerable evidence of success in combating pollution within the present system.It is a difficult task, particularly for the layman, to decide just what to believe in the face of the great and growing volume of errors of fact which find their way into the media on environmental matters. The result of this seems to be that an adversary approach has been adopted in environmental stances, and development tends to be halted whilst debates are carried on.The current status of environmental science is reviewed and leads to the proposition that growth and environmental quality can be compatible if new philosophies of growth and resource management are developed based on conservation and progress. The major difficulties are not seen as the predictions of doom but Western society's growing incapacity for action and an unwillingness toassume control of its own destiny.Based on a paper presented to Prospect 2000-A Conference on the Future, Australia and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science, Perth, Western Australia, 14–18 May, 1979.