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tensive antipollution measu res are
introduced into a region.
There have a lso been major
advances, at least in primary
research and development stages, in
nonpolluting energy technology
and in conservation technology.
Amazingly simple and safe meth–
ods of generat ing power from solar
and geothermaJ sources, biomass
gases and wind have been designed
and built. And concepts of tapping
limitless ocean currents and waves
for power have been pu t to
design.
Simple waste water purificat ion
and recycling plants using aquatic
vegetat ion or bacteria] organisms
and designed for home or small
communitíes have been experi–
mented with-and they work. The
recycling of animal and vegetative
wastes by controlled biomass
reduction has proven to be a safe
and feasible source of heat, fuel and
fertilizer.
These and other nonpolluting
technologies work in harmony
with- not against-natural envi–
ronmental systems. Much of this
technology, known in decades past,
if applied, could have gone a long
way toward reducing man's degra–
dat ion of his envi ronment.
Today's Pollution Reality
But at the same time that mankind
is making limited progress in meth-
2
ods to reduce pollution, most areas
of the earth have seen no relenting
of pollution, no progress in lessen–
ing degradation of environments.
Just the opposite.
For most parts of the earth old
pollution problems have worsened
under the onslaught of concentra–
tions of humans or animals, or
from rapid and thoughtless appli–
cations of modero industrial tech–
nology.
"Out of sight, out of mind "
(Continued on page 27)
ASSAULT ON CLEAN SKIES-Industrial
man treats his life-sustaining air
as
an
open sewer for increasing millions of tons
of waste. But what goes up
comes
down,
often on somebody else far away. Top to
bottom: Burning off
excess
oil and brush
in Sumstrs, a chemica/ plant in Zimbabwe
sdds its shsre of pol/utants,
so
does sn
oil refinery in heavily populated Southern
California.
The
PLAIN TRUTH