The human population explosion -- This is a major problem facing the U.S. and the world. It is the primary cause of resource depletion, environmental degradation, species endangerment, and some regional political instabilities. Most individuals are unaware of or indifferent to this issue. Most of the people of the U.S. do no recognize the present and potential problems associated with continuing population growth, even in this country, nor do they sense the need to overcome superstition and religious opposition, and generate world-wide support for zero population growth.

The failure of most Americans, including political leaders and public officials, members of the news industry, and even many individuals holding degrees in science, to understand and respect the implications of exponential growth. Our society virtually worships the concept of unending growth of production and consumption without recognizing the associated costs in resource depletion, environmental pollution, political and military vulnerability for the U.S., and more stressful living conditions.

General science and mathematics illiteracy -- The people of the U.S. cannot be expected to handle intelligently societal issues involving science and technology, given their present state of science and mathematics illiteracy. Part of this problem is caused by anti-science and pseudo-science programs, parading as science, that pollute our airways. Part results from the inadequate education provided for teacher candidates in many of our schools of education. Teacher who have not been required to complete quality courses in the sciences and mathematics (of an appropriate degree of intellectual content), and who have not completed quality academic courses in all "essential" disciplines, cannot be expected to meet teaching standards this nation's children need. This is a tragic reality, in spite of the pedagogical skills many teachers possess.

The urgent need for a rational, coherent energy policy for the U.S. We must recognize our vulnerability, and the resulting exorbitant defense expenditures, as we import more than half of our petroleum and an ever increasing portion of our natural gas. The scientific community must speak out for truth and common sense when the administration, much of the news and entertainment industry, many public officials, and even persons with scientific degrees, pander to anti-nuclear activists, and pretend that nuclear power has no future (or even present) in the U.S., and that anything involving radiation, radioactivity, or "nuclear" is unacceptably dangerous. The scientific community will be failing in its obligation to society and to its own intellectual integrity if it continues to duck this issue, or pretend that solar, wind or other "renewable" energy sources can replace the burning of fossil fuels to generate needed electricity or that this could significantly reduce the threat of global warming.

AAAS at the Millenium Board Position Paper

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Dr. C. Eugene Allen, Dr. Patricia A. Anderson, Dr. Richard Atkinson, Dr. Mary Ellen Avery, Dr. Dorothy F. Bainton, Dr. Allen J. Bard, Dr. Joost Businger, Dr. Barry Commoner, Dr. Mildred Dresselhaus, Dr. Joseph G. Gavin, Dr. Carroll Ann Hodges, Dr. Gerald Holton, Dr. Leon Lederman, Dr. William A. Lester, Jr., Dr. Simon Levin, Dr. Marcia C. Linn, Dr. Mike McCormack, Dr. Gerard Piel, Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg