World Scientists’ Warning to Humanity This 1992 document was
signed by 1,575 of the world’s most prominent scientists
(including 99 of the 196 living Nobel laureates) and was sent to
governmental leaders all over the world. The document asks
people to take immediate action to stop the ever-increasing
environmental degradation that threatens global life support
systems on this planet. The appeal was coordinated by Dr. Henry
Kendall, Nobel laureate (1990, Physics), and former Chairperson
of the Union of Concerned Scientists. “World Scientists’ Warning
to Humanity” Human beings and the natural world are on a
collision course. Human activities inflict harsh and often
irreversible damage on the environment and on critical
resources. If not checked, many of our current practices put at
serious risk the future that we wish for human society and the
plant and animal kingdoms, and may so alter the living world
that it will be unable to sustain life in the manner that we
know. Fundamental changes are urgent if we are t