Geneses and Progress of the World Campaign and Council for The Biosphere

Abstract

Starting with some clarifying definitions of the senses in which the key words in its title are used, this paper outlines the concept and actuality of The Biosphere, which is defined as ‘The integrated living and life-supporting system comprising the peripheral envelope of Planet Earth together with its surrounding atmosphere so far down, and up, as any form of life exists naturally.’ Two ‘round- dozens’ of the key facts about The Biosphere are then given—including Mankind's constitution of an integral part of it as well as utter dependence on it and yet increasing threat to it—with emphasis on the vital importance of understanding and fostering it as our own and Nature's sole life-support. To such understanding and concomitant fostering for survival, education is the key, and to such ends the World Campaign for The Biosphere was developed through various stages and finally declared on World Environment Day 1982 with the No. 1 aim of making the concept and reality of ‘Our Biosphere intimately and personally meaningful to people of all ages and cultures throughout the world.’