The Williamstown Study of Critical Environmental Problems

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Abstract
During July 1970, about 100 scientists and professionals conducted a month-long Study of Critical Environmental Problems (SCEP) on the campus of Williams College, Williamstown, Mass. The project was sponsored by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and supported by nine federal agencies and six private institutions and foundations. The focus of this effort was trained on environmental problems of worldwide significance. The Study was concerned mainly with the consequences of pollution in terms of changes in climate, ocean ecology and large, terrestrial, eco-systems. In general, local and regional environmental problems, such as the thermal pollution of lakes and waterways, and the direct health effects of pollution on man were not considered. Nor did the Study examine in any detail the problems of radioactive waste disposal and the effects of nuclear power and Plowshare activities. The pollutants it considered were those arising chiefly from the chemical processes and waste disposal practices of civilization. These included carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), chlorinated hydrocarbons, other hydrocarbons, heavy metals and oil. Within this range, the Study produced an authoritative and thoughtful report. It may well become a launching platform for national and international programs of pollution control. One of the striking aspects of SCEP is its humility. It does not attempt to ring the doomsday bell. Rather, it stands as a sober, reflective and careful statement of what man knows about the effects of these pollutants on the environment and what he has yet to learn. It thus becomes an assessment of the state of knowledge about these problems in the year 1970. But SCEP does not quite stop there. It goes on to suggest what man can do about the problems he does understand and how he can acquire essential information about those he doesn't. The Williamstown Study was made by as distinguished an assembly of scientists and professionals in law and social studies as ever addressed itself to the global pollution problem. There were experts in meteorology, atmospheric chemistry, oceanography, biology, ecology, geology, physics, engineering, economics and other social sciences. They were drawn from 17 universities, 13 federal departments and agencies, three national laboratories and 11 nonprofit and industrial corporations. About 40 worked the entire month of July on the study and 30 participated part-time. In addition, another 30 experts served as consultants. The Bulletin herewith presents the summary of the Study as presented at the conclusion of the Study July 31, 1970. The full text of this historic work is to be published October 15 by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Press. (R.S.L.)

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