The findings of a new report sponsored by the U.N. Development Program, the U.N. Environmental Program and the World Bank, titled "World Resources 2000-2001: People and Ecosystems: The Fraying Web of Life," underscore the fact that the growing worldwide demand for resources is threatening the world's environmental health to an unprecedented extent. Unless new policies are put in place, this situation could have "devastating implications" for human development.

Essential among the possible options are massive campaigns, both at the government and private levels, to educate people about how critical the situation is for human survival and for everyone's quality of life.

I personally became more keenly aware of how we mistreat the environment during a recent trip to Honduras, where I was able to see the tremendous negative impact of Hurricane Mitch on that country, brought about to a certain extent by the decimation of the forests. Trees are frequently cut down as a source of fuel and forests are set on fire without concern for the serious environmental consequences of such actions. As a result, Honduras is still reeling from the effects of Mitch, its infrastructure -- including bridges, roads, schools, hospitals and health centers -- all but destroyed. Fortunately, international help (notably from Japan) is allowing Honduras to begin to pull itself out of the situation.