Authority and responsibility for ecologically sound policies for man-environment relationships are confused by the lag between the changing circumstances of man-on- earth and his assumptions, behavior patterns, and institutions. In the United States, many attitudes which were hitherto feasible have now become harmful. Sanctification of political forms and unrealistic appraisals of the tendencies of techno logical society severely handicap present efforts to cope with environmental problems. If society is to deal effectively with these problems, political and administrative leadership will be required to help the people to understand the necessity for certain changes in their expectations, laws, and public institu tions. A new, ecologically valid politico-ethical ideology is needed to legitimize the tasks of public authority and responsi bility that an effective effort to cope with man's environmental problems would require. A dual crisis of attitudinal and institutional inadequacy must be surmounted if the resulting crisis of the environment is to be overcome.