Environmental problems threaten U.S. security

Abstract

The State Department has issued its first assessment of the global environment, cataloging a litany of problems that threaten U.S. security. In issuing the report, Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright announced that the U.S. is pursuing the fight against environmental problems on five frontsclimate change, toxic chemicals, species extinction, deforestation, and marine degradation. To aid this effort, she is establishing environmental hubs at six U.S. embassies this year—Costa Rica, Uzbekistan, Ethiopia, Nepal, Jordan, and Thailand—and at six more embassies in 1998. There, diplomats will be seeking regional cooperation on such issues as water supplies and biodiversity. By definition, the global environment deeply affects our own people, Albright explained at a press briefing. families will be safer if we have cut back on toxic chemicals used in the cultivation and production of food. . .. Our coastal economies will be stronger if our bays and beaches are free of pollution and our ocea...