INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS.

A cross comparison of environmental programmes of major International Organisations reveals a convergent tendency. A relatively small number of priority areas for action have been identified, in the domain of pollution prevention and control, natural resource management, and quality of life in human settlements. Policy development in each of the priority areas requires specific scientific research efforts. The dialogue between policy-makers and scientists raises some problem, relative, inter alia, to the independence of science and to the practical need to act before various environmental threats become irretrievable. A rational sharing of tasks between International Organisations could work towards greater effectiveness.