Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume II, Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs

344. Action Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (Pickering) to Secretary of State Muskie¹

Washington, July 29, 1980

SUBJECT

• Letter from Secretary to U.S. Ambassadors on Global 2000

Issue for Decision

The State Department has important Global 2000 follow-up responsibilities. President Carter has mandated our participation in the Task Force on Global Resources and the Environment; and directed us to raise the global issues internationally.² For these reasons, and because of the intrinsic importance of the issues for U.S. foreign policy, the personal involvement of our Ambassadors in the next stage is essential.

The proposed letter from you (Tab 1) asks the Ambassadors to ensure that the report is discussed with key host country officials; and solicits their ideas on how we can best use the report internationally and also respond to Global 2000 issues in the planning and conduct of U.S. foreign policy.

Along with the letter we will transmit one copy of the Volume I Summary Report; the statements that the President, you and Gus Speth presented; and the President’s directive establishing a Task Force on Global Resources and Environment. Additional copies of the report (Volumes I and II) have been pouched to each Embassy.

Recommendation:

That you approve the attached letter that we will then send to each Ambassador.³

Attachment

Letter From Secretary of State Muskie to All Ambassadors⁴

Washington, August 4, 1980

Dear Ambassador

On July 24 I participated in the public release of a government study which has etremely important implications for U.S. foreign policy in the months and years ahead. The Global 2000 Report to the President: Entering the Twenty-First Century was prepared by the State Department and the Council on Environmental Quality at the request of President Carter. Its purpose is to assess the possible changes in the world’s population, natural resources base and environment through the end of the century.

The conclusions are sobering. If present trends in population growth, resource degradation and environmental pollution continue, the efforts of the international community to achieve higher qualities of life and expanded social opportunities will be overwhelmed. The potential for famine, economic dislocation, social disruption and political instability will increase . . . sparing neither rich nor poor from the collective effects.

Global 2000 is not a prediction. But it is a warning of the kind of future which could occur if nations do not respond in time to make a difference. The problems highlighted in the study defy easy solution; but they will yield if we have the will and commit the resources.

President Carter, in his response to the report, stated that “America must provide special leadership” if these global challenges are to be met. I could not agree more. The President also called upon the State Department to play a central role. I will be representing the Department on a Presidential Task Force on Global Resources and Environment established to recommend actions by the U.S. in areas needing priority attention. Further, the Department is directed to raise and discuss the Global 2000 issues internationally.

I hope you will give this mandate your personal involvement and assistance by bringing the report to the attention of key government officials in your country, and seeking their reactions and comments. In addition, I welcome your thoughts on how the message of Global 2000 can be pursued by the U.S. most effectively at the country and international levels; how our foreign policy should be adjusted in light of the Global 2000 conclusions; and how the Department’s own capabilities for carrying out long-range policy planning and analysis might be strengthened.

I can think of no other area in which the creative thinking of the U.S. foreign affairs community is so vitally needed, and in which our Department is in a better position to contribute.

With best wishes, I am

Sincerely,

Edmund S. Muskie

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P800122–2041. Unclassified. Sent through Nimetz. Drafted by Long; cleared by Rose and Eckholm and in T. Long initialed for Rose and Eckholm. A notation on the memorandum indicates that Muskie saw it. A stamped notation indicates that it was received on August 4.
2. In the July 24 statement accompanying the Global 2000 Report’s release, the President noted: “I am also directing the State Department to raise the issues and problems identified in the Global 2000 Report in all appropriate international meetings, and I myself will raise them as well.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P800114–1701)
3. Muskie placed a check mark on the approval line on August 4.
4. No classification marking.